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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Tom Bryant

Simon Thomas returning to work with This Morning after wife's tragic loss

Sports presenter Simon Thomas is returning to work after the sudden loss of his wife to leukaemia 18 months ago – on This Morning.

The 46-year-old is joining the ITV daytime show to explore alternative therapies for mental health and wellbeing.

It will be his first time presenting since Gemma died in November 2017, which led to him quitting Sky Sports last April.

The three-part strand – Pursuits of Happiness – kicks off next Wednesday.

Simon Thomas bravely admits he considered suicide after wife Gemma's death 

He has spoken openly about the impact grief has had on him and son Ethan.

Gemma died just four days after being ­diagnosed at the age of 40.

In the films he tries cold water ­swimming – thought to help depression – and equestrian therapy among others.

Simon now has a girlfriend, Derrina Jebb, 27, who he met through his church.

Speaking in November, the ex-Blue Peter presenter said she has been “an incredible support”.

Simon will be returning to TV next week (ITV)

Simon Thomas' heartbreaking Mother's Day letter to son after wife's death 

He said: “What I saw in her, I saw in Gemma. When she said my phone is always on, she meant it.”

Martin Frizell, editor of This Morning, said: “This series will be Simon’s first step in returning to his presenting career and will focus on a subject matter that changed his life for ever.”

  • Pursuits of Happiness starts on May 8 on This Morning, on ITV at 10.30am.

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