Life Stories viewers were left in tears this evening as Kate Garraway's friends and family spoke about her romance with Derek Draper.
Tragically, Derek contracted Covid-19 in early 2020 and went on to be hospitalised for 13 months, making him the worst living Covid patient in the UK.
Derek has since returned home but struggles to communicate after the virus ravaged his body - including his brain - and requires round-the-clock care.
Joining Piers Morgan for his last ever ITV show, her friends and family spoke about how she met the former editor and psychotherapy two years after splitting from her first husband Ian Rumsey.
Kate had been set up on a blind date with Derek by friend and former colleague Gloria De Piero.
"I went, 'Kate, I've had an epiphany. You're single, you need to meet Derek Draper,'" Gloria explains. "I thought, 'They're both funny, they'll have a laugh.'"
Former Labour leader Tony Blair, who Derek had worked with, said: "He was a great person to have on your side and completely loyal and completely committed."
Gloria continued: "He had the biggest ego, the biggest swagger, the biggest brain."
In September 2004, Derek and Kate had met for the first time at Claridge's in London.
"On paper, Kate and Derek are so different," Kate's friend Clare Nasir said.
While Gloria admitted that she thought that the pair would have a few dates and then move on, but it was 'love at first sight' for the couple.
Kate and Derek wed in 2005, just a year after they met.
Derek's sister Dianne said: "You just had Derek at the altar, who's a blubbering mess, crying his eyes out as soon as he saw Kate."
His other sister Susan added: "They just have this closeness, that unconditional love. They've always had that banter."
Kate and Derek's children Darcey, 15, and 12-year-old Billy also described their parents as "complimenting" each other, adding that they were like "yin and yang".
"You'd never think they'd go together but they do," Billy said.
Gloria said: "She loves him so deeply, so deeply."
And fans were in tears, with one tweeting: "I am crying already watching #LifeStories with @kategarraway."
While another commented: "I love seeing old footage of Kate & Derek."
A third wrote: "Love Kate Garraway! The incredible strength Kate has (Since Derek has been dianogised with the grim Covid) #LifeStories I wish Derek well @kategarraway."
*Life Stories is available on ITV Hub
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