SIMON Thomas is a popular presenter with over 20 years of broadcasting experience.
From his career on-screen to his life off-screen – here's everything you need to know.
Who is Simon Thomas?
Simon Thomas was born in Cromer, Norfolk, on January 26, 1973.
He began his career in 1999 when he became the 27th presenter on the BBC’s iconic children’s show Blue Peter – which he fronted alongside Katy Hill, Konnie Huq, Matt Baker and Liz Barker.
After six years on the show, Simon made the move into sports broadcasting.
Aside from his presenting career, Simon has also become a popular speaker on mental health, grief and sobriety, speaking to organisations such as Asda, Aviva, the Home Office and Linklaters.
He also had his own podcast titled ''Life Interrupted'' – a project which ran for three series and saw the presenter speak to stars about how they found a way through some of life’s toughest challenges.
What TV shows has Simon Thomas been on?
As mentioned above, Simon shot to fame hosting Blue Peter from 1999 until 2005, before joining Sky Sports in June 2005.
He has also presented Cricket AM on Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports News Cricket World Cup Report, the Mosconi Cup from Las Vegas, Sky Sports World Cup report from Cape Town in 2010 and Sky Sports News coverage of the 2010 Ryder Cup.
Simon also played a part in the presenting team at the Olympic Games in London in 2012 and Sky’s live launch of the FA 150th Anniversary in London.
After a period away from broadcasting, Simon returned to present a series of films for ITV’s This Morning and has also presented a number of films for BBC’s Morning Live and Sunday Morning Live.
Simon also become the lead presenter for Sky Sports Football League coverage, before going on to present the Premier League for Sky at the start of the 2016-17 season and Amazon's Premier League coverage.
Other TV shows include, Channel 5’s The Jeremy Vine Show and Soccer Saturday – the presenter was named the show's lead after replacing the long-standing Jeff Stelling.
Who was Simon's wife Gemma?
Simon married his late wife Gemma Thomas back in 2005.
In 2017, Gemma tragically died aged 40, just days after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
Four months later, he made the decision to leave Sky Sports and devote his time to caring for his son, Ethan.
In 2023, the presenter opened up on the experience of losing his wife to cancer, which left him at rock bottom.
Simon spoke to Streams Studio, saying: "We went from Monday night with her being diagnosed with a blood cancer of some sort. For a couple of days, things were looking OK, the treatment was going well but then things just cartwheeled out of control.
"On the Friday she falls unconscious and by 8:30 on Friday morning I'm being told by a consultant 'she's not going to see out the day'.
"The very foundations on which your life has been built are trembling, there's a massive life earthquake going on.
"And by 5.45pm on that Friday in November 2017 at the age of 40, with an eight-year-old son and a husband, she's gone.
"The first thing I did when I came out of that hospital was I just sank to my knees and shouted at God: 'Why? Why, why, why? Why've you left my boy without a mum, I don't get it, I don't get you God'."
Who is Simon's second wife Derrina Jebb?
Simon married his second wife, Derrina Jebb in 2021.
In November 2018, Simon shared that he was in a new relationship with Derrina, who has been an "incredible support" to him.
Discussing his marriage, the presenter said: ''To see how God has brought love into my life again with Derrina has been the biggest surprise but just an amazing blessing.
"I never thought someone would love me, way too much baggage. And yet he has brought restoration in terms of love.
"And now to have a daughter, who came through a really difficult premature period, and to see God at work in that situation, how he cared for her, cared for Derrina, cared for us as a family, and brought us through.
"God is the God of second chances, God is the God who rebuilds lives, who brings restoration out of wreckage and that's been the story of my life for the last five years."
Does Simon Thomas have children?
Simon has two children – a son from his first marriage to his late wife, Gemma, and daughter with Derrina.
Ethan was born in 2009, and was just eight years old when his mum passed away.
In October 2022, Simon announced the birth of his daughter, who was eight weeks premature.
Is Simon Thomas on social media?
Simon is an active user of both Instagram and Twitter.
As of August 2023, the presenter has over 100,000 followers on Instagram and over 200,000 followers on Twitter.
You can follow him under the Twitter handle @SimonThomasTV.
Similarly, you can keep up to date with Simon's latest posts over on Instagram, under the handle @simonthomastv.
Source: Read Full Article
