Dadvengers Podcast

Simon Thomas is a well known TV presenter, and broadcaster, best known for hosting Soccer Saturday on Sky. He is also a father who went through a tragic loss and became a solo parent to his son, Ethan. After navigating grief together, Simon found love again and has added a daughter to his family. 

After growing up in a stable home with a father who was strict but fair, Simon has fond memories of his childhood. Although his dad was never an emotional man, he was more able to show his emotions as he got older and would express his pride in Simon. 

After becoming a dad at 36, Simon was loving parenthood with his wife Gemma. Sadly she became suddenly unwell and died just days after being diagnosed with cancer. Simon was thrown into navigating grief with his son but luckily, he found support that helped them through. 

Since then Simon has gone onto find love again with his wife Derrina. They have a beautiful baby girl who was born 8 weeks premature, After her dramatic entrance, their daughter Talitha has gone from strength to strength and is a healthy bundle of joy! 

Simon is a truly inspirational father and we’re so thankful to him for joining us 💙

Time Codes

2:54 – “When we all look back on our childhood there is rose tinted spectacles but without that, mine was great!” – Simon on his childhood.

4:40 – “My dad was strict, not overly strict… my biggest telling off was when I dropped the F-bomb!” – Simon’s dad was firm, but fair!

6:10 – “He was more open about how he felt about me” – How Simon’s relationship changed with his dad as he got older.

13:55 – “I couldn’t wait… I always wanted to be a dad,” – Becoming a dad.

17:36 – “That moment between getting rid of the dirty nappy and putting the new one in place is key!” – Remembering how to care for a baby after 13 years!

22:52 – “I got home at 7, by 7:20 Derrina called and said they have to deliver the baby today.” – Simon’s daughter was born 8 weeks early.

31:08 – “They were saying it was going to be 5-6 weeks.” – Coming home without their baby. 

34:45 – “He is so lovely with her… at the moment she just stares at him!” – Ethan and Talitha’s relationship.

36:41 – “Three days after diagnosis… I was told she had hours left… Everything changed.” – Simon talks about losing his first wife, Gemma.

45:34 – “The hardest conversation I ever had to have… I had this sick feeling of how do I do this.” – How Simon felt having to tell Ethan about his mum

49:33 – “He said what happens now… he was trying to figure out what life will look like. I didn’t know” – Navigating grief with a child.

55:44 – “Being able to cry is really important for how he navigates… I want him to know it is OK to cry, you’re not weak.” – Why sharing his emotions with his son is so important to Simon.

01:04:30 – “Without it I don’t know what the last few years would have looked like” – Simon his his faith helping him through his loss.

01:09:38 – Simon’s Dad Superpower. 

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