Kate Garraway has called the public’s messages of support “an extraordinary comfort” as she goes through the “raw pain of grief” after her husband’s death.

Derek Draper died aged 56 following several years of serious health complications due to coronavirus.

Good Morning Britain presenter Garraway, who had chronicled his health struggles on TV, recorded a message for Monday’s show.

“Thank you so much for all the wonderful messages that you have sent me,” she told viewers.

“It really does mean so much to me, Darcey, Billy and all of Derek’s family.

“They are an extraordinary comfort and I’m so lucky to feel connected to you all through these messages at this time when the raw pain of grief can be so isolating.”

She said she was “certain” the public’s support had “sustained us through these tough nearly four years, motivating us to fight on for each other”.

“I look forward to waking up with you very soon again on Good Morning Britain to celebrate life in all its wonder and challenge again,” Garraway added.

“I hope you forgive me for taking some time to be at home,” she told viewers of the ITV show.

“My family is so grateful that we could be with our dearest Derek in his final moments – something not all get to share.

“Maybe you too are going through grief yourself or have done in the past. I send love and support for you too.”

Garraway, who announced her husband’s death on Friday, said her family was “taking time to heal ourselves now that Darcey and Billy know their daddy is at peace and free from pain and struggle”.

“I shall be thinking of you all until we are reunited very soon,” she said.

“In the meantime, hug your loved ones close. All my love, Kate.”

Also on Monday’s Good Morning Britain, GP Hilary Jones recalled Garraway’s first concerns about Draper’s breathing in 2020 – saying he “ran out of puff” in eight seconds.

He ended up in intensive care, where Jones said there was a shortage of ventilators nationwide due to the strain of COVID.

“ITU was extremely busy and he clearly had a very weakened organ system from day one, not just his lungs,” said Jones.

“So this affected his nervous system, it was affecting his circulation, it was affecting his pancreas, and, clearly, subsequent months and years were the result of his body being so damaged by the acute infection.”

GMB reported in December that Draper was in “a very serious condition” after suffering a heart attack.

Sir Elton John and former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were among those who paid tribute to the former political adviser last week.