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Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas reveals son Ethan, 11, delivered ‘amazing’ best man speech as he remarries after ex-wife’s death

Simon Thomas married Derrina Jebb with best man Ethan by his side (Picture: @simonthomastv, Instagram)

Simon Thomas had his favourite little man by his side as he married Derrina Jeb, as his son Ethan acted as best man. 

The former Sky Sports presenter tied the knot with girlfriend Derrina more than three years after the death of his first wife, Gemma, who died from leukaemia in 2017. 

In the latest photos from the nuptials, Simon’s son Ethan – who he shared with Gemma – looked smart in a waistcoat and tie at the wedding reception and read from a sheet of paper while delivering his best man speech. 

Adorably, Ethan, 11, stood on a chair as his dad held the microphone for him and supportively placed one hand on the youngster’s shoulder, smiling proudly. Behind them, a photo of Simon and Derrina was projected onto a screen.

Simon wrote in the caption: ‘And I couldn’t have asked for two better best men – my legend of a mate @danjmritchie and Ethan whose speech was just . . . . . well . . . . amazing. We’re so so proud of him.’ 

He also shared a new photo of him kissing his bride on the forehead during an intimate moment in a hallway at Norwich Cathedral where the ceremony was held. 

Derrina, 30, looked stunning in a white off-shoulder bridal gown complete with a modest train and long veil. 

Ethan delivered an ‘amazing’ best man speech (Picture: @simonthomastv, Instagram)

Simon, 48, announced they had married with a sweet photo of them holding hands and walking down the aisle as husband and wife, moments after saying their ‘I dos’. 

‘Love. Wins,’ he simply captioned the photo. 

Among the congratulatory messages, former Blue Peter presenter Angellica Bell revealed she was in attendance and commented: ‘Thank you for letting us share your special day. ❤️.’ 

Simon was previously married to first wife Gemma until her death in 2017 at the age of 40.

Simon and Derrina tied the knot after two years of dating (Picture: @simonthomastv, Instagram)

Simon’s first wife Gemma died in 2017 three days after being diagnosed with leukaemia (Picture: Rex, Shutterstock)

Gemma died suddenly on November 24, just three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Acute myeloid leukaemia is an aggressive form of cancer of the myeloid cells, with only 3,100 cases in the UK each year, mostly in people over 80. 

Symptoms of the disease include unusual bruising and bleeding, feeling tired, losing weight and breathlessness. 

Simon opened up about his experience of dealing with grief in a book called Love, Interrupted: Navigating Grief One Day At A Time, in which he described the guilt he felt after Gemma’s sudden death for not insisting on medical help sooner for her. 

More: Sky Sports

The ex-Blue Peter host went public with his and Derrina’s relationship in March 2019 when they attended Cheltenham Festival together. 

Derrina appears to have developed a close relationship with Simon’s son Ethan, as he often shares photos of the pair spending quality time together.

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MORE : Who is Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas’ wife Derrina Jebb as couple tie the knot?


MORE : Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas marries girlfriend Derrina Jebb four years after wife Gemma’s death