Good Morning Britain frontwoman Kate Garraway and husband Derek Draper went to see Sir Elton John on his final tour recently and Derek had a wonderful reaction to a tribute by the Candle in the Wind singer.
It was a special treat for Derek and Kate said the trip to see Elton took "weeks of planning". Derek, 55, has been almost constantly bedridden since he contracted coronavirus in March 2020 and was hospitalised for 13 months and in a medically-induced coma. He returned home in April 2021 but still needs round-the-clock care.
Read more: ITV's Loose Women live tour is coming to Wales
Kate spoke about the trip to the gig on Smooth FM, reported Birmingham Live: "Right up to the last minute I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to get Derek there. It took weeks of planning and just days before it looked like he would be too sick to attend. Even on the journey there he seemed so weak.
"But as soon as we got into the stadium and Elton went on stage he started weeping tears of joy and squeezed my hand so tightly." She added: "After a while I asked him if it was time to go and he said: ‘No… want to go back'".
The couple were given a shout out by the pop legend who told the 20,000-strong crowd that Kate and Derek had endured "really tough times". "They’re inspiring," Elton said. "They’ve never given up and I’m so thrilled they’re here, I can’t believe they are here. I want to dedicate this song to the people I mentioned before but especially to you guys."
Elton then went on to perform his 1974 hit Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me in tribute to the Garraway family. Kate said: "We were all in tears – the kids, Derek, and even the nurses. It was completely unexpected. People around us were so lovely and started clapping which was an extraordinary moment we will all treasure forever and Elton made it possible."
READ NEXT:
Kate Garraway's husband Derek 'still cannot really move or speak', she admits in emotional interview
-
Paul O'Grady's funeral date and details have been confirmed
-
Deborah James' emotional goodbye to her children as she started to 'lose the will to live'
-
Rylan Clark sends message to Strictly family with fresh It Takes Two exit update
-
Alison Hammond responds to Big Brother presenter rumours during Coronation announcement
