Lorraine fondly reflected on interviewing Derek and his kids Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, on her ITV show, saying she will ‘always remember’ how proud he was of Kate – who is her ITV colleague.

Speaking to Weekend Magazine in a forthcoming interview to mark the launch of her debut fiction novel, The Island Swimmer, Lorraine said: ‘For me, I will always remember Derek’s pride when Kate came out the jungle.

Lorraine Kelly has reflected on her fond memories of Derek Draper following the tragic news of his death at the age of 56

The chat show host, 64, looked back on interviewing Derek while his wife Kate Garraway (both pictured) was taking part in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2019

Lorraine fondly reflected on interviewing Derek and his kids Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, on her ITV show, saying she will ‘always remember’ how proud he was of Kate

‘Obviously it was shortly before Covid, when he got took so, so ill. We interviewed him quite a few times while she was in there and he was bursting with pride.

‘I remember him saying “this is her time, Kate’s going to do so many wonderful things, I’m so glad she’s made such an impact”, and then of course, not that long afterwards, he got so, so ill and she was just astonishing.’

Lorraine went on to praise Kate for her ‘strength’ as she described the Good Morning Britain host as ‘remarkable’ for looking after her husband Derek during his four-year Covid battle and health struggles.

‘I knew Kate was a strong girl, I knew she was strong, but boy she really was absolutely incredible, I don’t know how she did it, she’s remarkable,’ she went on.

‘All she has to do now is take some time to herself, I bet she won’t, but she should.’

‘We’ve all known each other for years and years, I don’t know what they to say other than it’s s***e. It’s not fair, it’s rubbish,’ she added of the devastating news.

Lorraine has known Kate for many years working on ITV on her breakfast TV show, where she interviews a range of celebrities, but Lorraine is also trying her hand at writing in her debut novel The Island Swimmer, set for release on February 15.

Kate announced the death of her husband of 18 years at the age of 56 on Instagram on Friday morning, after he suffered a heart attack in early December.

Derek had been plagued with health woes after becoming seriously ill with Covid in March 2020, when he was placed into a medically-induced coma and hospitalised for 13 months.

Kate announced in a heartfelt post: ‘I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.

Speaking to Weekend Magazine in a forthcoming interview, Lorraine said: ‘For me, I will always remember Derek’s pride when Kate came out the jungle’

Lorraine and Kate have known each other for many years due to their jobs working on ITV’s morning television shows – with Kate hosting Good Morning Britain

Kate announced the death of her husband of 18 years at the age of 56 on Instagram on Friday morning, after he suffered a heart attack in early December

Derek had been plagued with health woes after becoming ill with Covid in March 2020, when he was placed into a medically-induced coma and hospitalised for 13 months (pictured in June with Kate’s parents Gordon and Marilyn)

‘As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.

‘Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.

‘I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.

‘Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.’

MailOnline understands that Derek passed away on the night of Wednesday January 3 in a North London hospital. Kate said that he died surrounded by family.

He had suffered a cardiac arrest in early December, with Kate spending Christmas at hospital.

Lorraine joined Kate’s other ITV co-stars in paying tribute to Derek and sending their condolences to Kate following her husband’s passing.

Good Morning Britain presenter Ben Shephard shared a message of support for his co-host and longtime friend Kate last week.

Ben, 49, shared a picture of Derek kissing Kate on the cheek and wrote on Instagram: ‘On what has been the saddest of days @kategarraway I’ve been reminding myself of the wonderful times and memories we have all shared together.

‘This is how I’ll always think of Derek – bringing you so much joy, your smile says it all, the size of which is matched only by his love for you, Darcey and Bill. Sending all our love Kate to you and all the family.

MailOnline understands that Derek passed away on January 3 in a North London hospital. Kate said that he died surrounded by family (Kate and Derek are pictured in April 2009)

Lorraine has joined Kate’s other ITV co-stars, including GMB’s Ben Shephard, in paying tribute to Derek and sending their condolences to Kate following her husband’s passing

Ben shared a picture of Derek kissing Kate and wrote on Instagram: ‘On what has been the saddest of days @kategarraway I’ve been reminding myself of the wonderful times and memories we have all shared together’

‘Also thank you to everyone who has reached out to me, I promise I will pass on your messages, I know they will bring Kate so much comfort as they have for the last few years.’

Susanna Reid commented underneath Kate’s social media post: ‘Our whole hearts are with you all.’

Friends have said heartbroken Kate is ‘bearing up’ after her husband Derek’s death – as ITV told the star she could have ‘as much time off as she needs’.

A friend of Kate’s told the Mail: ‘She is doing okay, she is bearing up and is being strong for her children.’