KATE Garraway has made a touching tribute to Derek Draper during her radio show return.
The TV and radio presenter played a special song in the memory of her late husband during her first show back on Smooth Radio.
Kate Garraway‘s husband tragically died holding her hand following a four-year battle with Covid.
Kate, 56, revealed she held Derek’s hand as he passed away in a moving Instagram post.
He was hospitalised after contracting Covid in March 2020 and suffering numerous health complications.
During her first show back on Smooth Radio, Garraway paid an emotional tribute to his funeral.
She played ‘Your Song’ by music icon Sir Elton John who led a tear-jerking performance on the day.
Kate thanked listeners for their “lovely and poignant messages” ahead of her return.
In a heartfelt message, she said: “I just feel really honoured that you’ve shared your thoughts with me and I’m going to do my best to keep the music flowing.
“Now you may know that Elton John sang at my husband Derek’s funeral and it was a very special moment born out of him just being a lovely man and I just wanted to play him for you this morning.”
The pop singer attended Draper’s funeral alongside other celebrities – including his husband David Furnish.
Susanna Reid, Elton John and Piers Morgan were among the celebrities who paid tribute the late Derek.
The star performed the song Skyline Pigeon from his 1969 debut album.
The musician had previously invited Draper and Garraway to be his guests of honour at his Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert at London’s O2 Arena last year.
Kate previously revealed the reason Elton John felt deeply connected to her loss.
During a previous interview for Smooth Radio, Garraway said: “He, I think, has felt from the very earliest days, very, very connected because Derek was ill. He had a friend who was ill.
“And through that kind of six degrees of separation, they were in intensive care at the same time. One in America, one here in the UK, Derek.
“And so in that time, when there was sort of a search for knowledge, he ended up offering to get in touch via other things. And so it’s been connected.
“And he felt, therefore, it was lovely that he was there and it was lovely that he sang and it was a lovely gift, really, actually.”
