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Derek, 56, who was married to the Good Morning Britain and Smooth Radio host for 18 years, died on January 5, almost four years after he first fell seriously ill with Covid.
Clare Nasir, who worked with Kate on the ITV breakfast show, said the aftermath of Derek’s death had been incredibly difficult.
She said of her pal: “She’s devastated, she’s broken. She’s going from moments of real reflectiveness to moments where she’s just crying because she’s been fighting for the right for Derek to live for four years now.
“It was a heck of a long journey for her and she was with him until he died. She didn’t give up the fight until the very last moment.”
Clare added: “When I was with her she’d had very little sleep. She’d been at Derek’s bedside night and day while trying to care for her family.
“What do you do? What do you say? There’s no light for her at the moment, just grief and absolute sadness.”
Clare, 53, said she and a group of friends had been “tag-teaming” and on a rota to keep mum-of-two Kate company.
She added: “The other weekend there was a lot of making tea and cooking. We managed to play a couple of little games with the kids to add a little light.”
Clare told Closer magazine: “Kate waxed and waned. It’s just so sad to see – she’s just broken.”
Ex-Labour Party adviser Derek suffered long-term problems from Covid and needed daily care, which Kate, 56, chronicled in books and ITV documentaries.
Speaking of their bond in her book, The Strength Of Love, she said: “If someone had asked me to explain what it was Derek and I had together…I could have sent them these few notes of love and support.
“That’s all they would have needed.”
Derek managed to join Kate and her parents, Gordon and Marilyn, last year, when the presenter was honoured with an MBE by Prince William at Buckingham Palace.
Announcing his death, Kate said: “Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours.”
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Source: NewsFinale
