On a cold winter night last November, with just moments to go before he went live on air for the first time in three years, TV presenter Simon Thomas shot up a quick prayer.
“God you know you’ve got me here. Please give me what I need to do my job tonight.”
In November 2017 – following the sudden death of his wife Gemma to acute myeloid leukaemia which led to anxiety, panic attacks and depression – Simon left his dream job as a Sky Sports football presenter.
He also took the decision to come off air so he could be there for his eight-year-old son Ethan as he dealt with the trauma of losing his mum. Back on TV for the first time since that tragic day marked a major milestone in Simon’s life, which he never dreamed would be possible.
“I would sum up that evening in two words: massive relief. I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I was going to be. I’d come through the mental health issues I’d been having when I stepped away. I haven’t experienced any of that for a long time thankfully.”
This story is from the February - March 2021 edition of Direction Magazine.
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This story is from the February - March 2021 edition of Direction Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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