Simon Thomas hits back at trolls who criticised him for moving on from late wife
The TV presenter praised new girlfriend Derrina Jebb but admitted no one would replace Ethan's mum Gemma
Simon Thomas has hit back at the trolls who have criticised him for moving on from his late wife.
The TV presenter's wife Gemma tragically died in November 2017 just three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid luekaemia.
Ahead of the two year anniversary if Gemma's death, Simon gave his response to the small minority of people who have judged him for starting a relationship with Derrina Jebb.
Simon praised his "incredible" new girlfriend for helping him "find life" again - but admitted no one would ever replace his son Ethan's mum.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, he said: "Try and put it into context. The vast majority of people have been lovely and really encouraging. I think for some it’s a hard concept to get round. How you could lose your wife or husband and fall in love again?"
Simon Thomas revealed he has found life again after the tragic death of his wife(Image: ITV)
It's been nearly two years since Gemma tragically passed away(Image: ITV)
When that day happened the life I had, as a family, it might sound brutal, it ended. That line death us do part is in there for a reason. I know Gemma, for me and Ethan, would want us to find life again.
"She [Derrina] has been an incredible woman in loving me when I was broken and now rising up from the ashes.
"She knows no on on this planet could be Ethan’s mum again but she’s been a significant figure in his life. I love her to bits."
Simon said no one could replace Gemma as Ethan's mum(Image: Daily Mirror)
Simon gave an update on his son Ethan(Image: ITV)
Simon confessed it "feels like yesterday" that Gemma died yet also feels a long time ago in other ways.
On how son Ethan is coping, he said: "He’s going good. I had a really encouraging message from his headmaster yesterday. He said he’s been one really good form.
"It feels like we’ve got the old Ethan back. It’s really encouraging.
"In terms of Ethan, I’ve learnt life going forward for him will be this dual thing of love and pain. One day perhaps he will get married. Along with the joy of that day will be the pain of mum not being there."
Simon opened up to Lorraine Kelly(Image: ITV)
Simon is 'finding life' again(Image: ITV)
Opening up to Lorraine, Simon also discussed the signs he missed that Gemma had cancer.
He said: "Looking back with the knowledge now have it seems obvious. The recurring headaches , fatigue, bruises that wouldn’t go. But when you’re ignorant...
"I think when it comes to blood cancer it's the fifth biggest one in the country but third biggest killer and yet the knowledge on what to look out for is not enough.
"At the moment only one in ten can name you a single blood cancer."
Later in the show, Simon got his legs waxed live on air for charity.
*Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV at 8.30am
