Simon Thomas breaks silence in emotional message after being confirmed as Jeff Stelling’s Soccer Saturday replacement
SIMON THOMAS has broken his silence in an emotional message after being confirmed as Jeff Stelling’s replacement on Soccer Saturday.
The former Blue Peter star has won the race for the iconic job – six years after leaving Sky Sports following the tragic death of wife Gemma.
Former Soccer Saturday host Stelling stepped down at the end of the last season after 30 years at the helm.
And Thomas, 50, will link up with the likes of Paul Merson and Clinton Morrison to deliver all the scores around the country.
The respected broadcaster quit his full-time job in 2017 when wife Gemma died just three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
And Thomas admitted in an emotional statement that he never thought he’d end up hosting Soccer Saturday, thanking new wife Derrina and his family and friends for their support.
He tweeted: “Well here’s something I never ever expected to be saying – but next season I will be the new host of the iconic Sky Sports.
“Ever since I stepped away from Sky in 2018 to look after Ethan after we lost his mum; rebuilding my career has not been easy.
“But Sky always said the door would be open for me to come back; but this was never the door I expected to open.
“Lots of people have said I have some very big shoes to fill – but I don’t. Jeff Stelling is a one off. An absolute master of his craft. Incomparable.
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“All I can be is myself, and be the best I possibly can. This is a huge moment for me and my family and a massive honour to be trusted with such a well loved and respected program.
“It also feels incredibly special to be fully coming back to the Sky Sports family, who all those years ago believed in me after leaving Blue Peter.
“I also just want to say thank you to my wonderful wife Derrina Thomas for always believing in me and my family and friends for always having my back. See you on August 5th!”
Thomas is not the only new face joining Soccer Saturday next month.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has landed a role offering insight into games from the perspective of an official.
He secured the job just 24 hours after quitting football, leaving his role as a video assistant ref in the process.
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