Simon Thomas reveals he ‘sunk a litre of vodka every night’ to ‘numb the pain’ following the death of wife Gemma – ahead of welcoming second child with new partner Derrina

Simon Thomas has revealed how he ‘sink a liter of vodka every night’ after tragically losing his wife Gemma to cancer at the age of 40 in 2017.

The sports presenter, 51, and son Ethan, now 12, were left devastated after she died within four days of being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

Speak with The sunAhead of the birth of his third child, his second with new wife Derrina, Simon revealed how amid his grief he desperately tried to ‘numb the pain’ with alcohol.

‘For months every night was a struggle not to drink. Sometimes I won, most of the time I lost,” he said.

“One night I sank a liter of vodka disguised in a Coke can.”

The sports presenter, 51, was left devastated after dying within four days of being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. (Simon and Gemma pictured in 2015)

Simon said he was “about to lose everything” as he tried to “numb the pain.”

In April 2023, Simon opened up about the traumatic experience of losing Gemma to cancer and revealed how God brought ‘love’ back into his life with Derrina.

Gemma’s death in 2017 at the age of 40 resulted in what Simon describes as a ‘life earthquake’, and as a result of her death he took time off to care for his eight-year-old son, effectively breaking his contract with Sky.

The presenter talked about the rapid progression of his wife’s illness and the profound impact it had on his life, including his struggle with his own faith.

“We went from Monday evening when she was diagnosed with some form of blood cancer. Things looked good for a few days, the treatment went well, but then things got out of hand.’

He continued: ‘On Friday she falls unconscious and at 8.30 on Friday morning I am told by a consultant that she will not spend the day.’

‘The foundations on which your life is built are shaking, there is a huge earthquake in life. And at 5:45 PM on that Friday in November 2017, at the age of 40, with an 8-year-old son and a husband, she is gone.

“The first thing I did when I got out of that hospital was fall to my knees and scream at God, ‘Why? Why why why? Why did you leave my son without a mother, I don’t understand’ , I don’t understand you God!”‘.

Saying: Telling the publication, “Every night for months was a struggle not to drink. Sometimes I won, most of the time I lost

The couple was married for 12 years and shared son Ethan, now 12 (pictured as family)

It comes after Simon said he felt ‘blessed’ as he prepared to welcome his second child with wife Derrina, who he already shares daughter Talitha, 15 months.

In a new interview, he has opened up about how he feels “really happy with the life I have” despite the loss of his first wife.

He told The mirror: ‘The baby is due in a few weeks, so pretty close to the end of the football season.

‘It was a huge joy to see that Ethan had Talitha at home, and in a few weeks another brother or sister, so it was lovely. Of course there is an age difference, but they have a great bond.

‘The way her face lights up when he comes home from school. She can now say ‘hi’ and she loves watching him play his guitar. So it’s been a real source of joy.

“Sometimes it sounds strange to say I’m blessed by what happened, but I’m really happy to have the life I have now and to have a normal job again.”

If you are struggling with grief, call the National Bereavement Partnership helpline on 0800 448 0800

For drug and alcohol advice, visit www.talktofrank.com

Simon gushed that he felt ‘blessed’ as he prepared to welcome his second child with wife Derrina (seen with their daughter Talitha)