Simon Thomas welcomes second child with wife Derrina and reveals son’s sweet name
SIMON Thomas and his wife Derrina have welcomed their second child together.
The former Blue Peter presenter, 51, shared the happy news with a sweet post on Instagram on Friday.
In one image, the newborn is cradled by Derrina, while Simon gazes lovingly at his wife.
A second black-and-white shot shows the father and newborn spending quality time together as he plants a kiss on his son’s forehead.
Alongside the photos, Simon wrote: “After a long ten days of endless hospital visits and uncertainty, feel incredibly blessed to be able to say that Theo Benjamin Thomas was born this week – Ethan & Talitha have a little brother!
“After the drama and fear of Talitha’s premature arrival nineteen months ago – this time was so different and we’re so thankful for this.”
He continued: “I’m so proud of Derrina. She was desperate to reach full term this time and she did it.
“She’s the most incredible Mum and I know that he has a mother who will always be his biggest cheerleader.”
Simon added it had been a ‘long few days’ and that they are extremely grateful to staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
The dad hopes to be home with his wife and their newborn this weekend but apologised to Soccer Saturday fans for not being on the box.
“I hate missing work, especially now that we’ve reached the climax of the season; but family comes first so I won’t be on #soccersaturday this weekend but will be back next week,” he explained.
Simon and his wife Derrina met in 2018 and tied the knot in 2021.
They welcomed their daughter Talitha into the world in October 2022.
He also shares a son Ethan with his late wife Gemma Thomas, whom he married in 2005.
On November 24, 2017, she sadly passed away after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Since her death, Simon has been open about his struggles to cope and try to raise their son Ethan alone.
But thanks to meeting Derrina, the family has been pieced back together and the TV presenter credits her with saving his son.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, he said: “Without a doubt, she’s the reason Ethan is on a level footing.
“Derrina has been a massive blessing to us after everything that happened.
“She is a mother figure who came into his life, and it’s an amazing sacrifice to love someone else’s child.
“So, despite everything that’s happened, Ethan is incredibly lucky and blessed, which is a weird thing to say.
“But Derrina loves him like he’s her own.”
Downward Spiral
Gemma died just three days after being diagnosed with cancer in 2017 when Ethan was eight.
Simon struggled to go on after the loss but kept trying for his son’s sake.
However, his drinking quickly spiralled out of control.
He admitted previously: “For months every single night was a battle not to drink. Occasionally I would win, mostly I lost.
“I would sink a litre of vodka in an evening, disguised in a coke can.
“In social situations, where I felt more paranoid than I had ever done before, it became an even bigger mask.”
Taking Back Control
Simon has now been sober for over two years and is able to fully embrace family and work.
Speaking about the lifestyle change, he said: “The biggest benefit is the joy of being present.
“I know for parents it’s hard on a whole number of fronts — there is a battle for our attention.
“I’ve really enjoyed just being there. It’s without a doubt one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
