‘He is a wonderful healthcare professional’: Kate Garraway shares a rare snap of her husband Derek while paying tribute to one of his carers
Kate Garraway shared a rare snap of husband Derek with one of his carers on Friday.
Taking to Instagram, she posted a tribute to Jake and encouraged her followers to support his music, revealing that he has released a song called okukuseku.
Derek has been unwell with long COVID since 2020 and Jake looked after him when he first came out of hospital.
In the snap, the carer held onto his hand as he looked down at him and grinned.
Kate captioned her post: ‘Many of you will remember Jake who cared for Derek when he first came out of hospital in April 21 – from the documentary #caringforderek, so you will know what a wonderful healthcare professional he is.
Carer: Kate Garraway shared a rare snap of husband Derek with his carer Jake on Friday and encouraged her followers to support him and his music
She continued: ‘But have just found out he’s also an amazing musician – under the name @sencymiller.x – He’s just released a song called okuseku (check it out in his bio) – which no surprise is full of love & inspiration to keep going & never give up.
‘The world of carers never fails to surprise me with their depths of talent , thoughtfulness and motivation #happyfriday all!’
It came after Kate became overwhelmed on Tuesday as she confronted former health secretary Matt Hancock over his handling of the pandemic and his decision to go on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.
Derek fought for his life after contracting coronavirus in March 2020. He became the longest-suffering coronavirus patient in the UK after spending 13 months in hospital, and remains very ill.
His broadcaster wife blinked away tears as she told Mr Hancock that millions of Britons still feel ‘very raw’ about the pandemic and repeated lockdown, declaring: ‘At the time it mattered I couldn’t visit Derek in hospital, he couldn’t see his kids.
‘Thousands of other people couldn’t see people that they loved because they were following the guidelines. The rules were very muddled for us out here.’
Mr Hancock was eventually forced to resign in June 2021 when he was caught flouting his own social distancing guidance by kissing Gina Coladangelo – who he hired with taxpayers’ money.
Describing public anger towards him, Kate added of his decision to appear on I’m a Celebrity: ‘This gives the impression you still don’t get why they are cross. You still don’t get why people are upset. They want to hold you to more account.’ Mr Hancock replied: ‘I get all that. I really do. I really feel it.’
Illness: Derek has been unwell with long COVID since 2020 and Jake looked after him when he first came out of hospital (Derek is pictured with Kate in 2019)
Defending his affair, he said: ‘I’m only human. We all have our frailties and I fell in love’, adding: ‘But that is not an excuse and that’s why I’ve been open about it. That’s why I asked for forgiveness.’ He repeatedly denied breaking the law.
Ms Garraway asked him if he understood the anger that people felt towards him, especially those separated by loved ones who were in hospital.
She then became tearful and looked up as she spoke about Derek, who has been unwell for approaching three years.
‘I suppose the problem is you were the Health Secretary. Thousands of children couldn’t see people that they loved,’ she said of visiting restrictions in the NHS for so long under his stewardship.
Anger: Ms Garraway said Mr Hancock gave the impression that he didn’t understand why people are so cross with him
Mr Hancock earlier insisted he did not go on I’m A Celebrity for the money as he insisted the 3% of his £320,000 fee he donated to charity was substantial.
Susanna Reid asked him: ‘Are you telling the truth when you say that it [money] wasn’t your primary motivation?’
The former health secretary replied: ‘Absolutely. I did give some of the money to charity.
‘I didn’t primarily do it (go on the reality show) for the money, I primarily did it to try to show who I am.’
Mr Hancock insisted his £10,000 donation was a ‘decent sum’ and was ‘more than my MPs salary’.
He did concede that ‘of course there was a discussion and negotiation over the fee’.
Grilling: It came after Kate became overwhelmed on Tuesday as she confronted former health secretary Matt Hancock over his handling of the pandemic (Kate is pictured with Derek)
