Kate Garraway has revealed that Derek understands what she says to him, but that he can't communicate with her properly in a "desperate battle".
Kate gave an update on her husband Derek Draper's condition on Good Morning Britain today, after she won a National Television Award for her documentary about their struggle.
Derek is now back in the family home after spending over a year in hospital after coronavirus ravaged his body.
READ MORE: Mum spots unwelcome change to her house as it appears on TV show
Speaking to hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid Kate said : "We are very clear now that he does understand everything really.
"He understands everything that I talk to him about but he can't respond to it as he'd want to.
"He can't communicate still and that must be a desperate battle for him as it is for so many people that can't get out their thoughts.
"Derek's being having lots more tests for things and one of the last times he went back to hospital was a couple of weeks ago, it was the first time he's seen medics outside of the home.
"It was a very very long day for him, he had to be out of bed out of the home.
"They told him to do lots of different things and he understood what they were telling him to do."
Kate said he also reacts to his children in an appropriate way and said: "Maybe a lot of it is projection but it does really feel like he understands."
*GMB continues at 6am on ITV tomorrow
