MARCH 2020
Kate revealed she and Prince Charles were “relatively close” at the Prince’s Trust Awards on March 11 – she was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March.
She said: “Around March 29/30, I came home and said [to Derek] “God, you look sick.”
“He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand and difficulty breathing,
“I rang Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, he spoke to Derek. He said put me back in, I think you need to call an ambulance.
Derek, 52, was admitted to hospital on March 30 and remained unresponsive.
APRIL
Kate and her children isolated at home after showing ‘mild symptoms’.
Kate said: “Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I’m afraid it’s still a terribly worrying time.
“I’m afraid he’s still in a deeply critical condition, but he’s still here, which means there’s hope.”
MAY
Kate said: “The journey for me and my family seems far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus has more battles to to Derek
“But it’s still HERE, and so there’s still hope.”
That month, Kate and her family took part in the final applause for carers
She said: “I will never give this up because Derek is the love of my life, but at the same time I have absolute uncertainty.”
JUNE
On June 5, Kate revealed that Derek is now coronavirus-free but continues to battle the damage to his body.
JULY
On July 5, Kate revealed that Derek had woken up from his coma, but remains in a serious but critical condition.
On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after being urged by doctors to “get on with life” during Derek’s recovery.
She added that Derek had “opened his eyes” after waking from the coma, but was told his recovery could take years.
On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalized.
On July 28, Kate revealed she had an “extra emotional” first visit with Derek and admitted she was “frustrated” by his slow progress.
AUGUST
On August 14, Kate assured GMB viewers that Derek was “still with us” but that it was “a waiting game”.
On August 19, Kate revealed that she celebrated Derek’s birthday with her two children and described the day as a “challenge” for her family.
SEPTEMBER
In late September, Derek becomes the longest-surviving coronavirus patient after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care.
Kate reveals that Derek has lost eight stone during their battle.
The presenter announces that she will return to her Smooth Radio show so that Derek can hear her voice.
OCTOBER
On October 30, Kate reveals that Derek has spoken for the first time in seven months, saying the word “pain” to his wife, who watched “in tears” on FaceTime.
Kate says a day later that her husband no longer needs a ventilator to breathe.
OF NOVEMBER
Kate reveals her family car has been stolen in the latest ‘body blow’ to her family life as kind-hearted fans offer their cars to help.
She says she feels “physically ill” at the prospect of facing her first Christmas without Derek.
DECEMBER
The GMB star tells viewers her dream is to visit Derek on Christmas Day.
She also reveals that she missed two weeks at GMB after her children were exposed to the virus, but luckily she and the children tested negative.
On December 17, Kate has an emotional chat live on GMB with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in north London.
New Year’s Eve reflects on a “disastrous” Christmas without Derek as his house flooded and he struggled to get a food delivery slot until his friend Emma Willis stepped in to help.
JANUARY 2021
Kate reveals that she and her children went to visit Derek in hospital over the Christmas period, and it was the first time his family had seen him since he was hospitalized.
He also says he is banned from viewing it due to new restrictions introduced during the government’s third lockdown.
FEBRUARY
Kate reveals she’s not sure how much Derek ‘will be able to recover’ after doctors warn he may never wake up from coma
MARCH
Kate revealed she was in the process of adapting her home to meet Derek’s needs when he finally leaves hospital, in the ITV documentary Finding Derek.
The show was praised by viewers for offering a heartbreaking look at the long-term effects of the coronavirus.
Kate also revealed that Derek has “no muscle left” since battling Covid
APRIL
Kate revealed that Derek was finally allowed to leave the hospital, but would need 24-hour care once he returned home.
MAY
Kate revealed that despite now being at home with her family, her communication skills were “minimal” and she “couldn’t really move”.
DECEMBER
During an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Kate revealed that Derek had said ‘I love you’ for the first time.
After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also pictured in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family.
JANUARY 2022
Kate revealed that Derek was “very tired” and “very weak” after the family outing, adding: “I don’t know what he’s going to bring this year.”
FEBRUARY
Kate offered an insight into the daily struggles of caring for her husband amid his long battle with Covid in the documentary Caring For Derek.
He also revealed that Derek would die in three days if left alone to fend for himself.
JULY
On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been readmitted to hospital after suffering a ‘fall’, and in a subsequent interview she said that she is taking things ‘day by day’.
On July 20, Kate was reported to have pulled out of hosting Good Morning Britain to be at Derek’s bedside after he took a “very serious” turn for the worse.