Kate Garraway has shared the heartbreaking last text messages husband Derek Draper sent her before he was put into an induced coma.
The political lobbyist had been the UK's longest running in-patient for Covid-19 after he fell ill with the coronavirus last year.
Derek, 53, has now been taken off all machines and will receive round-the-clock care at the family’s home in North London.
Kate says there were many times she thought he would never leave hospital.
But after nearly 400 days away from home, emotional Derek was allowed back earlier this month as the family were reunited.
Now his wife has revealed the last text message her frightened partner sent her before doctors tried to save his life.
In her new memoir The Power Of Hope, which is being serialised by The Mail on Sunday, Kate lays bare the struggle she and her young family faced.
She said he told her in the text: "This is not the last time you will see me. It isn’t."
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."
Agonisingly, she then revealed he told her: "I want you at the funeral."
Telly favourite Kate, who shares children Darcey, 15, and Billy, 11, with Derek, has been warned by doctors that her husband still faces a ‘long and gruelling’ fight ahead to full health.
Last week, Kate told viewers on GMB: "It has been wonderful having Derek at home. There have been lots of little positives - moments of recognition and reaction."
She explained why she decided to write her new book, and outlined how it helped her.
"I’m painfully aware that Derek would have wanted to tell his own story if he could - and one day he still may," she added.
"I have tried to do him – and all those who love him – justice, and his love and life are present in every line.
"On an emotional level, I hope readers will also draw something from how we, his family, have struggled to cope."
