Kate Garraway has revealed her husband’s holiday horror as he was “stuck in no man’s land between borders” due to airport issues at Heathrow.
The ITV Good Morning Britain host opened up on Derek Draper’s ordeal after he had gone to America for treatment.
Former political adviser Derek fell seriously ill with Covid-19 in March 2020, which left him with long-lasting damage to his organs and needing daily care.
Since developing Covid he has suffered with brain inflammation, kidney failure, and damage to his live and pancreas.
During a segment of Good Morning Britain, the discussion turned to disabled access at Heathrow Airport.
Kate said: “Disability has a wide-range - Derek hasn't got the cognitive skills or upper-body strength that you've got.
"We realised we couldn't get him into the country.
"He went forward [in the machine] and the door locked and then the disabled person has to free it.
"You're not allowed because of the border to do it yourself.
"He was stuck in no man's land and literally between two borders for about an hour or so.
"That's even when conscious effort has been made to make things work."
Earlier this summer, Derek was on hand to watch Kate collect an MBE from Prince William at Windsor Castle.
The Good Morning Britain presenter was recognised in the 2022 New Year Honours for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity, and received the award from William on Wednesday with Draper watching from a wheelchair nearby.
Garraway described how she felt to be sharing the day with her husband, telling the PA news agency: “I think it’s unbelievable.
“So many hours, we thought it would never happen, (but) here we are. It’s fantastic. It’s a real feeling of ‘Right, seize the day and enjoy the moment’.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here