The wife of Norfolk-raised TV presenter, Simon Thomas, has died just three days after she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Simon, son of a Norfolk Anglican clergyman and life-long Norwich City supporter, yesterday tweeted: “Today I am crushed with indescribable pain. Just three days after falling ill with Acute Myloid Leukaemia, my dear wife Gemma passed away yesterday evening surrounded by her family and friends.
“If you are a prayer – pray for my boy Ethan, eight years, precious and in bits. Thank you.”
In April, Simon, spoke at Soul Church in Norwich, when he told a packed congregation of two life-defining brushes with death, moments when he knew for certain that God was for real.
On the news of Gemma’s death, Norwich City Football Club tweeted: “Simon, the thoughts of everybody at Norwich City are with yourself, Ethan and everyone else who knew and loved Gemma at this sad time.”
Fellow Christian sport presenter, Dan Walker, tweeted: “There are no words. So sorry to hear my friend. Hold him close.”
Born in Cromer, where his father Andrew was curate, Simon grew up in Grimston near King’s Lynn when his dad became vicar, before the family moved to Surrey.
He presented Blue Peter for six years and left for Sky Sports in 2005.
He married Gemma in 2005 and the couple attended Greyfriars Church in Reading together.
About 3,100 people a year in the UK are diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia – a type of blood cancer.
Read our previous story about Simon.
Pictured above is Simon Thomas talking at Soul Church in Norwich in April. Picture by Thom Law. Soul Church.
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