Caring Kate Garraway has shared the heartbreaking parting words of her loving husband as he was rushed to hospital with acute Covid.
Author Derek Draper, 53, was struck down with the deadly virus during the first wave of the pandemic last year and ended up in a coma.
Birmingham Live reports how brave Kate has now shared his emotional texts from hospital as he fought for his life.
Defiant Derek texted Kate to say: "This is not the last time you will see me. It isn’t."
Edinburgh Live has reported how after more than a year in hospital, Derek was finally allowed home earlier this month.
Kate has since shared his incredible progress as he continues his recovery, including touching moments of recognition.
In her new memoir The Power Of Hope, which is being serialised by The Mail on Sunday, Kate told of Derek's text from his hospital bed.
But the Good Morning Britain presenter admitted: "He would never have said that if at least a small part of him hadn’t been wondering if it was."
She then revealed he told her: "I want you at the funeral."
Mr Draper has been taken off all machines and breathing apparatus but receives care at home, which Garraway adapted in his absence to make it more accessible.
Last month ITV broadcast Finding Derek, a documentary exploring his illness and its effect on their two children.
One scene saw Garraway recall being told by Mr Draper's doctors that he was the most seriously ill person they had seen who remained alive.
Kate initially walked away from GMB in the wake of Derek's diagnosis and health battle.
But she returned last summer, after doctors urged her to get some semblance of her life back.
She shares two kids with Derek, a former Labour Party advisor, named Darcey and Billy.
