Simon Thomas, the beloved TV presenter, has bravely opened up about the deep sense of shame he felt when his son Ethan discovered his battle with alcoholism following the death of his wife, Gemma. The tragic loss of Gemma to blood cancer in 2017, just three days after her diagnosis with adult acute myeloid leukemia, left Simon, 53, and his son, now 15, grappling with immense grief.
In a heartfelt conversation on Matt Willis’ On The Mend podcast, Simon recalled how he tried to conceal his drinking from his young son during the difficult months after Gemma’s passing. He admitted to drinking up to a bottle of vodka a day as a way to cope with his overwhelming emotions. However, despite his efforts to hide his alcoholism, Ethan began to notice the signs.
Simon shared, “He began to cotton on as the months went on. The reason why Daddy would never let him have a sip of his Diet Coke in the evenings wasn’t because it had caffeine in. Well, it was partly that, ‘it’s not great for your bedtime, Ethan,’ but it’s because Dad had something in there he shouldn’t.”
Reflecting on the lasting impact of those days, Simon expressed that the shame he felt about exposing his son to these moments has been one of the hardest parts of his recovery. “I’ve left him with all those memories and that’s… that’s probably, in terms of my recovery from all of that period, almost been harder than letting go of the alcohol. It’s been letting go of the shame,” Simon said, speaking candidly about the painful realization.
In addition to grappling with his grief, Simon also shared the devastating effect that Gemma’s sudden illness had on their family. He recounted the rapid progression of her disease, remembering the moment when doctors told him she would not survive the day. “The very foundations on which your life has been built are trembling, there’s a massive life earthquake going on,” Simon said.
Gemma’s death at the age of 40 shook their family to its core, and Simon took time off from his career to care for Ethan, who was just eight years old at the time. The impact of the loss left him questioning his faith, as he struggled to understand why such a tragedy had befallen his family.
Simon also spoke about his emotional breakdown after Gemma’s death, describing how he cried out to God in despair, asking why his son had been left without his mother. “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?’”
Despite the overwhelming grief, Simon gradually found healing and support through his relationship with Derrina, his new partner. In 2023, Simon publicly expressed his gratitude for Derrina, who he credits with helping him and Ethan through their grief. He praised her as an extraordinary stepmother, saying she loves Ethan “like her own” and has been a stabilizing force in their lives.
Simon acknowledged that without Derrina’s unwavering support, Ethan would not have been able to cope as well with the challenges following his mother’s death. “Without a doubt, [Derrina] is the reason Ethan is on a level footing,” Simon said. He added that Derrina’s sacrifice in loving his son as her own is a testament to her strength and love.
In the years since Gemma’s death, Simon and Derrina have built a family together, with the couple welcoming two young children, Talitha, three, and Theo, two. Simon expressed that despite the heartbreak and difficulties they’ve faced, Ethan is “incredibly lucky and blessed” to have such a strong support system, including a loving stepmother and two younger siblings.
Simon’s openness about his struggles with alcoholism and the impact it had on his family, particularly his son, has resonated with many. His journey of recovery and healing continues to inspire others, as he bravely navigates the challenges of parenting while grieving the loss of his beloved wife.
As Simon moves forward in his recovery, he remains dedicated to being there for Ethan and ensuring that their family finds strength and love in the face of adversity.
