New photo Simon Thomas at Christmas one year on from death of wife Gemma to blood cancer

TV presenter Simon Thomas has said his young son gave him a reason to carry on living after his wife's tragic death last year.

The Sky Sports anchor, 45, and his son Ethan, eight, had their world shattered when Gemma, 40, died of acute myeloid leukaemia on November 24 last year.

She had been diagnosed just three days before following headaches and exhaustion that were consistently put down to stress.

One year on, he has spoken of of how little Ethan gave him a reason to get out of bed in the morning and helped him through the one-year anniversary of her death.

Simon Thomas spoke to the BBC about his grief following the death of his wife Gemma a year ago 

He told the BBC: 'A few weekends ago it was the first anniversary of Gemma going and he knew it was the anniversary but he wasn't thinking about it in the same way that we were.

'He just grabbed my arm on the Friday night and just said 'Dad, just so you know, if you're ever feeling sad over the weekend you can just come and find me and I'll give you a big hug.' 

'I just thought, don't think I'd have got through this without him. It gives you a reason to live.

'He is my everything. Without him I don't know what life would look like right now.' 

Pictured: Simon's son Ethan is pictured colouring in as his father speaks to the BBC 

He revealed he just wanted to 'fast forward' the festive season last year, as he and Ethan struggled to accept what had happened.

He continued: 'I just remember thinking I don't want to do Christmas at all. If I could fast forward past this... I mean it was literally a month after Gemma died and days after her funeral and suddenly you're into the festive season.'

Simon has shared his journey of grief on social media, showing his followers how he wrote daily notes to Ethan to help get him through the trauma of losing his mother.

But last Christmas, all he wanted was to have her back, he explains.

He said: 'That moment when he said what he wanted for Christmas came the morning after she went. 

'I remember turning to him in the morning, he was very tearful understandably and he said 'daddy I've changed my Christmas list.

'And I said 'Okay what do you want now? and he said 'First of all I want mummy back' and second he wanted all the usual stuff.'

 Sky Sports anchor Simon Thomas, 45 (right) and his son Ethan, eight (left) had their world shattered when Gemma (left) 40 died of acute myeloid leukaemia on November 24 last year

Simon has launched his own fund with Bloodwise, The Gemma Thomas Fund, with proceeds going to the charity. 

The aim is to fight for earlier diagnosis of blood cancer, which causes more cancer-related deaths each year than breast or prostate cancer.

'I want to bring good out of the wreckage of my life,' he told The Mail on Sunday this week.

'To help reduce the ignorance about blood cancer, not least because the symptoms are less specific than for other cancers. 

'People need to be persistent with their doctor and insist on a blood test. It can be the difference between living and dying.'

As is the case for thousands of patients, Gemma's symptoms began as a series of common ailments; none of which sparked particular concern.

She had daily headaches, insomnia, exhaustion and felt generally run-down. They were all symptoms of busy, modern-day motherhood.  

One year on, Thomas (left) has spoken of of how little Ethan (centre) gave him a reason to get out of bed in the morning and helped him through the one-year anniversary of Gemma's death. She is pictured right 

Three weeks before her death, Gemma tripped over a kerb and broke a bone in her foot. 

Unsurprisingly, there was minor pain, but a bruise that remained three weeks after the accident caused concern. 

The couple first visited the GP on Wednesday, November 15, to see if Gemma's recurring headaches were a cause of concern. 

Their doctor said he felt they were caused by a combination of insomnia and stress and the couple went home reassured.

But within 48 hours the headaches became excruciating. Gemma was now so exhausted she stayed in bed for most of the day. 

The couple went back to their surgery where they saw a different GP, who took blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature but no blood tests.

But Gemma deteriorated further that weekend, becoming barely able to walk a few steps to the en suite bathroom. At 10am on Monday they were back at their GP practice. 

Simon Thomas wishes he could 'fast-forward' to the middle of January and avoid Christmas altogether. The family of three are pictured together 

Gemma saw their own doctor this time, but was again sent home. Later that day she began vomiting. 

She was rushed to A&E at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and was admitted that night. 

Finally, the doctors performed the vital blood tests and, as the results were announced, Simon's worst nightmare suddenly became true.

After being rushed to the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, she underwent a series of procedures in a bid to remove her affected cells - but it was too late.

He helped her to the toilet and was pleased when she fell asleep and could finally get some rest. She never woke up.

A few years ago Simon put Gemma on his life insurance policy, meaning he could stop working and become a full-time parent. 

He says being a single father is 'very hard' but a new girlfriend, whose name he declines to reveal, has brought some light into his darkness.  

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News Pictures Simon Thomas at Christmas one year on from death of wife Gemma to blood cancer

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