'He knows the programme is on': Kate Garraway wishes her husband Derek Draper a 'good morning'... after saying nurses play GMB every day in the hope 'it might trigger something'
Kate Garraway wished her husband Derek Draper 'good morning' as she co-hosted Wednesday's edition of Good Morning Britain.
The TV presenter, 53, spoke directly to her loved one, 52, during the show and said he was aware the programme was on air, after previously saying he was 'focused and engaged' on the show since waking up from his coma.
After discussing how plasma donations help those battling coronavirus, Kate began by thanking the staff looking after Derek: 'I know the team that are doing brilliant work with him are watching the show and I haven't given them a mention so good morning to you.'
'He knows the programme is on': Kate Garraway wishes her husband Derek Draper 'good morning' on Wednesday's edition of Good Morning Britain
'Thank you for everything you're doing and good morning to Derek as well,' she said before admitting to co-host Adil Ray. 'We don't know how much he can see or hear, but he knows the programme is on.'
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The former Blair lobbyist was admitted to hospital in March after being diagnosed with coronavirus, and while he has woken from his coma he still remains seriously ill and is in intensive care.
On Monday, Kate revealed the medical team working with Derek make sure to put Good Morning Britain on in his room every day 'in the hope that it might trigger something', though she admitted it was now 'a waiting game.'
Doing what she can: The presenter spoke directly to her loved one, 52, during the show, after previously saying he was 'focused and engaged' on the show when nurses put it on for him
Grateful: After discussing how plasma donations help those battling coronavirus, Kate began by thanking the staff looking after Derek and wishing them a good morning
Speaking during the programme, Kate said: 'He is stable and actually yesterday I spoke to the nurses and they said they had put Good Morning Britain on and they felt he looked, because his eyes are open, he looked focused. He looked focused and engaged on it.'
She went on: 'We don't know whether it's the movement of the light, or whether it's the familiar voice. So, good morning, Derek, if you are watching. We're all sending you lots of love, everyone here is sending you lots of love.'
Kate said Derek, who she married in 2005 and with whom she shares daughter Darcey, 14, and son Billy, 10, had endured a 'tough week' following 'big falls' in his blood pressure and swelling in his legs.
Candid: After wishing him a good morning, Kate said to co-host Adil Ray. 'We don't know how much he can see or hear, but he knows the programme is on'
Illness: The former Blair lobbyist was admitted to hospital in March after being diagnosed with coronavirus , and while he has woken from his coma he still remains seriously ill
Meanwhile, Kate discussed wanting to donate her blood plasma to husband Derek during his coronavirus battle on Tuesday's show.
The TV presenter said she she was 'desperately researching anything she could do to help' her husband who remains very sick in hospital.
Co-host Adil said: 'On the show last week, you would have seen Kate talking about the potential importance of blood plasma transfusions for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. That day the number of people offering to donate went up 300 per cent.
Tough times: Kate revealed on Monday that nurses told her they put on GMB every day in the hope 'it might trigger something' for her stricken husband Derek
Kate said: It's a lovely lovely thing. The process which is similar to giving blood, only takes 45 minutes and can be used to help treat patients who aren't producing enough of their own antibodies to fight COVID-19.
'The reason it's popped up, why I was talking about it, was because when Derek first got sick, I was desperately researching anything I could do to help.
'I watched him be consumed by the virus despite all the brilliant efforts of those around trying to help him in the NHS.'
She continued: 'I was told at the time, because it was one of the ideas I had, "what about giving my blood, there are antibodies in my blood because I've had it, will that help?" they said no because the trials for it hadn't really started.
'I started talking about it last week because I found out that now it is being used which is fantastic.'
Adil said: 'Kate, I will say this, you're so inspiring at a time like this.'
Kate replied: 'I don't know about that, I feel very emotional about it actually, not just the idea that people are coming forward but that it might save lives.
Update: Kate also told her GMB co-host Adil on Monday's show that her husband Derek is very much still with us,' but it is still a 'waiting game'
Adil added: 'We're all watching you and how you're dealing with such a terrible situation and how you're dealing with it with such grace and positivity. It's an inspiration, it really is, thank you. How is Derek?'
Kate said: 'I'm hoping to see him this week. It was a stable day yesterday and I'm learning Adil that stable is sometimes good.
'What we want is up days but a non down day is something to celebrate as well. It doesn't necessarily get easier. But good to know things are moving forward, trials are being done and other lives can be saved.'
Tough: The presenter went on to admit she feels a level of guilt about returning to the job she loves, explaining: 'You feel almost bad because oh I'm laughing'
An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson told MailOnline on Tuesday: 'The number of people who have recovered from coronavirus offering to donate plasma was 293% the normal last Monday after Kate spoke about her own desire to donate, following her husband’s illness.
'We’re really grateful to Kate and Good Morning Britain for covering donation again today because we urgently people to donate now, to help during any second wave.
'If you’ve had coronavirus, you could saves lives by donating plasma. You could give the NHS the first treatment which actually attacks the virus. Register to donate at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk.'
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