HEARTBROKEN Kate Garraway paid an emotional tribute to late husband Derek Draper today, accompanied by the great and good of politics and showbusiness.
The Good Morning Britain star, 56, was joined by the couple's two children Darcey and Billie, with 17-year-old Darcey bravely helping carry the coffin as her tearful mother looked on.
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19Poignantly Kate wore Derek's watch during the funeral, held at St Mary's Church in London's Primrose Hill.
Guests including Tony Blair, Elton John, Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard, Keir Starmer and Myleene Klass all sang Lord of the Dance.
Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.
Kate Garraway
Sir Elton, who had arrived with a walking stick, sang his hit Skyline Pigeon as guests visibly welled-up.
Lyrics to the emotional tune include: "Turn me loose from your hands / Let me fly to distant lands / Over green fields, trees and mountains / Flowers and forest fountains / Home along the lanes of the skyway."
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For a man who had spent much of the past three and a half years bed-bound, bravely battling the crippling effects of Covid, the meaning was lost on no-one.
Former PM Blair, under whom Derek worked for New Labour, also gave a touching speech during the eulogies.
A choir performed the Angus Dei, the Gospel Alleluia, God in my head and closed off with Nunc Dimittis.
A source said: "It was a heart-wrenching day, but an incredible send-off for a wonderful man.
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"Kate, Darcey and Billy were so, so strong throughout, and would have been hugely touched by the incredible turn-out; it was testament to Derek's popularity in every area of his life.
"Kate wore Derek's watch so that she could carry a little piece of him on the day, and everyone was, of course, so kind to her. Quite simply, the public outpouring of support has kept her going of late."
Flowers left outside the church while the service took place included those from the children.
We are taking time to heal ourselves, now that Darcey and Billy know their Daddy is at peace and free from pain and struggle.
Kate Garraway
Darcey wrote on her flowers: “I love you with all my heart”.
At one point the attendees could be seen holding candles as the service, which lasted around two hours, fell on Candlemas.
The festival marks the official end of Christmas.
It is understood Derek had been involved with funeral requests prior to his tragic death.
"The funeral, from start to finish, was everything Derek would have wished for - and more," added the source.
"He was a pragmatist in life, and had made some requests and 'gentle suggestions' in his lifetime. Late and the family did him proud."
Elton could be heard singing live towards the end of the service, stunning passers-by who recognised his iconic voice.
Tony and Cherie Blair left shortly after the service, followed by Elton and husband David Furnish, who gave a brief wave to press outside.
Skyline Pigeon - By Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Turn me loose from your hands
Let me fly to distant lands
Over green fields, trees and mountains
Flowers and forest fountains
Home along the lanes of the skyway
For this dark and lonely room
Projects a shadow cast in gloom
And my eyes are mirrors of the world outside
Thinking of the way that the wind can turn the tide
And these shadows turn from purple into grey
For just a skyline pigeon
Dreaming of the open
Waiting for the day
He can spread his wings
Fly away again
Fly away, skyline pigeon, fly
Towards the dreams you've left so very far behind
Fly away, skyline pigeon, fly
Towards the dreams you've left so very far behind
Just let me wake up in the morning to the smell of new mown hay
To laugh and cry, to live and die in the brightness of my day
I wanna hear the pealing bells of distant churches sing
But most of all, please free me from this aching metal ring
And open out this cage towards the sun
For just a skyline pigeon
Dreaming of the open
Waiting for the day
He can spread his wings
And fly away again
Fly away, skyline pigeon, fly
Towards the things you've left so very far behind
Fly away, skyline pigeon, fly
Towards the things you've left so very, so very far behind
Former Labour politicians Ed Milliband and Ed Balls, who left with Robert Rinder, left shortly after.
Other guests appeared to enjoy a champagne drinks reception while the family attended the Committal.
One attendee stepped outside clutching a glass of fizz to have a cigarette.
Other guests seen leaving included Alex Beresford, Charlotte Hawkins, Peter Mandelson - Derek's old boss - and Roman Kemp.
The coffin was carried back to the church around 90 minutes later, with the coffin loaded into the hearse.
Kate and her family then left for the private burial in Jaguars just before 2.30pm.
Several members of the public broke into applause as the cars drove off.
After the service, close friends and family gathered for a private celebration of the former lobbyist's life.
In honour of all the campaigning Kate has done, Carers UK also donated SumUp machines for guests to make contactless donations, and mental health charity Mind provided boxes for cash donations.
Derek died on January 3rd from complications of long Covid.
The previous month he had suffered a devastating heart attack but, against all odds, had initially overcome this latest set-back to his health.
The one-time political spin doctor-turned-acclaimed psychotherapist - who retrained in the States after quitting the Labour party in the nineties - had become Britain's longest-suffering hospital in-patient after being stricken with the virus in March 2020.
As he heroically fought coronavirus, the beloved father of two was subsequently plagued with a raft of health issues.
As well as damaging his kidneys and liver, he developed holes in his heart and, when doctors eventually tried to bring him out of his ten-week induced coma, he did not respond.
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After he moved back home in April 2021, Derek required round the clock care and was rushed back to hospital with "life-threatening" sepsis in August the following year.
He was struck down with more ill-health in the following months and suffered a huge heart attack last December.
Derek Draper's four-year health battle
- March 30, 2020: Derek is rushed unresponsive to hospital with Covid.
- April 24: He is put into an induced coma.
- June 5: Kate reveals Derek is Covid-free but his body suffered damage.
- July 5: He awakens from a deep coma but remains "minimally conscious".
- September 6: Kate then reveals Derek lost eight stone and cannot speak.
- September 29: Derek becomes the longest-suffering Covid patient after spending 184 days in hospital.
- October 30: Wakes from coma and speaks for the first time in seven months.
- October 31: He is finally taken off ventilator after 214 days in hospital.
- January 7, 2021: Kate reveals kids got to visit Derek at Christmas - the first time since he was hospitalised.
- April 9: Derek returns home after over a year but needs full-time care.
- May 4: He is able to converse more.
- December 22: Pictured in public for the first time at a panto.
- February 21, 2022: Kate says they secretly flew to Mexico for a medical trial.
- July 6: Derek is rushed back to hospital.
- August 1: He is in intensive care with "life-threatening" sepsis.
- June 28, 2023: He sees wife Kate made MBE.
- October 8: Kate reveals Derek is "not doing great" after an infection.
- November 23: In hospital for treatment to help with movement.
- December 11: Taken ill and suffers a heart attack.
- January 3: Derek Draper tragically dies.
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