DEREK Draper sadly passed away today after three long years of health battles.
The tragic news came after the dad-of-two suffered a major heart attack on December 11.
Kate announced the heartbreaking news in a moving Instagram post today.
She wrote: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
“As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
“Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.
Kate stepped away from all on-screen responsibilities and stayed by her husband’s bedside in a vigil after his health took a downward turn.
A source said: “Derek suffered a massive heart attack which has left him fighting for his life all over again.
“It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.
“Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.
“Kate has been utterly incredible — by his side while being an amazing mum to Darcey and Billy, and trying to manage their expectations of a family Christmas.”
Derek’s long and painful health battle started when he was rushed into hospital in 2021 after contracting Covid.
He spent 214 days in treatment on a ventilator, four months of which he was in an induced coma.
The virus tragically caused brain inflammation, kidney failure, and damage to his liver and pancreas.
By July, 2020, the dad-of-two was brought out of the deep sleep but remained “minimally conscious”.
In September the same year, Kate gave a harrowing update which explained her husband had lost eight stone laying in his hospital bed.
After a painstaking seven months of treatment, Derek spoke his first word – “pain” – but the next day was able to breath without a ventilator.
Kate’s Finding Derek documentary aired in March which showed the heartbreaking moment her husband woke up from his coma.
However, he was welcomed home by Kate and their two children, Darcey and William, in April 2021 and started receiving round-the-clock care.
Even by October 2021, Derek was still sleeping 20 hours a day and unable to communicate properly.
He remained in a similar condition continuing into 2022 – when Kate confessed Derek was still phenomenally fatigued and very weak.
Derek’s health declined and in February the family were told he could die within three days if he was left alone.
Stints in hospital were a frequent occurrence and in August 2022 it was touch and go when he contracted “life-threatening” sepsis.
But, after a brave battle, it appeared hope was on the horizon earlier this year.
Derek was able to talk, albeit it through whispering, and he was proud to watch Kate receive her MBE award at Windsor Castle in June 2023.
Sadly, less than a week after the joyous event, the dad-of-two was rushed to hospital yet again.
In October, Kate offered a health update in which she revealed her husband was “not doing great” after coming down with another infection.
The following month she spoke openly and said “his brain is now his worst enemy”.
A brain scan last year showed white patches, usually seen in patients with vascular dementia.
He sadly suffered a major heart attack on December 11 and passed away on January 5.
