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      Wales star David Brooks doesn’t want any sympathy following successful return from cancer

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      DAVID BROOKS does not want to be picked by Wales on sentiment following a successful battle with cancer.The Bournemouth winger had 18 months on the sidelines after his stage two Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis on Dragons duty in October 2021.
      David Brooks is back in the Wales squad after battle with cancerCredit: Alamy
      Brooks won the last of his 21 Welsh caps during the Euro 2020 finals two summers agoCredit: The Mega Agency
      Brooks is back in Robert Page’s Wales squad for the first time since his cancer fight ahead of tomorrow’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Armenia in Cardiff.
      But the 25-year-old reckons he is back on the international stage on merit after six appearances for Bournemouth.
      Brooks said: “I don’t want any sympathy.
      “I don’t want anyone thinking, ‘We’ll give him a game here, or a game there, because he’s been through a lot and it will mean a lot to him.’
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      “I don’t want any of that. I want it to be on merit and I believe that’s why I got two starts at the end of the year.
      “I also believe that’s why I am here now. I don ‘t want to be called up just to be a spare part.
      “I’m working hard to get back in the Bournemouth team and be starting for Wales as well.”
      Brooks won the last of his 21 caps against Denmark at the Euros two summers ago.
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      Brooks added: “It’s a very nice feeling to be back. The players have welcomed me with open arms.
      “It’s my first camp in two years so it will be a very special moment putting the Welsh shirt on again.
      “I’m hoping it will be a nice reception if I can get some minutes.”
      Brooks took part in Wales’ training camp in Portugal last week where he had an emotional reunion with team-mates – and saw Welsh medical chief Jonathan Houghton again.
      The Cherries attacker asked Houghton for paracetamol to combat symptoms of weight loss and night sweats.
      But it was Houghton’s quick-thinking which saved Brooks as he was sent immediately for tests which revealed the illness.
      Brooks added: “I do owe Jon the doc because he’s done a lot for us. It’s always nice to see him.
      “Whenever my mum and dad see him they burst out crying and give him a big hug. There’s a lot of respect there and I can’t thank him enough.
      “I just love playing football. It has been my life for 23 years and as soon as I got the diagnosis, that was snatched away in the blink of an eye.
      “The awful news crushes your world. 
      “I didn’t have a single care about football. I just wanted to still be on earth. The dark times were dark but the prognosis was positive.
      When you have gone through a scare like that it puts life into perspective that football isn’t life or death. The main thing is being happy and healthy.
      “It was nice to get messages from my old coaches like Eddie Howe and Chris Wilder. Pagey texted me. They were all supportive.” 
      Brooks was handed a new contract by Bournemouth last August until the summer of 2026 but the ex-Sheffield United star is still ambitious to play at the very top for club and country.
      He said: “My outlook on life has changed a bit but football does mean a lot to me and my ambitions and drive haven’t changed.
      “I still want to try and get to the very top. 
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      “I missed the World Cup so the aim is still to play in that and in the Champions League. I want to play at as high a level as possible.
      “I am still as determined to achieve what I want to achieve in football.” More

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      Charlotte Duffy dead aged 37: Model and ex-Crystal Palace cheerleader passes away as she loses brave cancer battle

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      CRYSTAL PALACE are mourning the loss of cheerleader Charlotte Duffy, who died at the age of 37 following a brave battle with cancer.Duffy was one of the original Crystals who also made a name for herself as a model.
      Crystal Palace cheerleader Charlotte Duffy died at the age of 37Credit: TWITTER – Crystals_CPFC
      The Crystal Girls confirmed the sad news on social media where they also issued a picture of her in full uniform at Selhurst Park.
      The Crystals stated she was “beautiful inside and out” and will be missed by the entire Palace family.
      The Crystal Girls tweeted: “RIP Charlotte Duffy, one of the original Crystals who sadly lost her battle with cancer.
      “She was beautiful inside and out and will be missed by us all! Sending our love to her family.”
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      The club followed it up with a tweet of their own sending condolences to Duffy’s loved ones.
      Crystal Palace tweeted: “Everyone at the club sends their deepest condolences to Charlotte’s friends, family and loved ones.”
      All sorts of football fans then flooded social media paying tribute to Duffy and reaching out to her family as well as friends.
      One fan posted: “This is so sad my heart and soul go out to Charlotte and her friends and family. Big part of Palace family, far too young RIP Charlotte.”
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      Another commented: “Absolutely heartbreaking and my thoughts are with her family and friends.”
      A third tweeted: “We are so sorry to hear this awful news. Forever part of the #PalaceFamily.”
      This fan wrote: “How very sad, far too young and so difficult for her family and friends. RIP Charlotte.”
      And that one said: “Very sad to read. Met all the Crystals at a charity do years and years ago. Thoughts with friends and family.” More

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      Football fan, 8, with brain cancer has shirt torn off & burned by cruel rival supporters as club slams ‘unspeakable act’

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      AN EIGHT-year-old football fan with brain cancer was horrifically attacked by supporters of a rival club at a game in France. Little Kenzo had his beloved Marseille shirt ripped off him by the vile thugs who then set it alight at the Stade Francois Coty on Saturday.
      Kenzo, 8, was attacked by vile AC Ajaccio supporters who ripped his shirt from him
      The game against Marseille on Sunday was plagued by troubleCredit: AFP
      Hooligans supporting the relegated AC Ajaccio, based on the French island of Corsica, pounced on the boy and his dad at the weekend in the final game of the season in Ligue 1.
      The match was marred by trouble in the stands as rowdy supporters caused chaos, before ruining Kenzo’s special trip to the stadium.
      As his tumour is causing his eyesight to deteriorate, it had been his dream to see Marseille players on the pitch in person.
      He had been invited down by Ajaccio chiefs and proudly wore the colours of his team before the disgusting attack ensued.
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      The schoolboy’s shirt was sickeningly torn from his body and burnt by home fans, while his father was punched twice.
      Ajaccio has condemned the “unspeakable acts” while explaining supporters had infiltrated a private area where they had put Kenzo and his parents.
      The club said in a statement: “AC Ajaccio had the pleasure of hosting little Kenzo, who is suffering from cancer.
      “He had expressed his dream of meeting the players of Marseille, the club of his city and his heart.
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      “Kenzo and his family were invited so that the child could realise his dream during the match this evening.
      “The dream quickly turned into a nightmare when Kenzo and his parents, who came in the colours of Marseille, were shamefully abused by individuals who broke into their dressing room.
      “Alerted (to the incident), the security of the club intervened. 
      “Kenzo and his family were taken care of by the club’s security and escorted to the changing room area so that the child could fulfil his dream. 
      “These individuals in no way represent the values ​​of our club and our island. Even the most extreme stupidity cannot excuse these behaviors!
      “The club strongly condemns these unspeakable acts! AC Ajaccio will shed full light on these shameful actions.
      “As soon as the individuals have been identified by our services, we will file a complaint against them. AC Ajaccio is in solidarity with little Kenzo and his parents.”
      Kenzo’s outraged mother Amandine told Corse-Matin her cancer-stricken son has been “traumatised” by the attack.
      She said around 10 Ajaccio supporters had burst into their box before chaos ensued.
      They pushed my son and his head hit the railing. They hit my husband in the face, ripped off the little one’s shirt and went to burn it.Mum Amandine
      The mum said: “Since we thought we were safe, I allowed Kenzo to put on his shirt, my husband took him by the hand to show him the players walking onto the field.
      “And everything went wrong. They pushed my son and his head hit the railing. They hit my husband in the face, ripped off the little one’s shirt and went to burn it.
      “Before leaving the dressing room, they even spat in the food that was on the floor at our disposal.
      “Kenzo is well aware that he is very seriously ill, he is losing his sight due to his tumour and he said to me: ‘Before I see nothing more, I want to see OM in Ajaccio’… These fools traumatised him.”
      The shaken father and son were then given security protection within the ground’s changing rooms – which had one silver lining.
      Kenzo incredibly ran into several Marseille players, including his idol midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, putting a smile on his face despite the horror attack from Ajaccio fans.
      Stephanie Freedman of Journal L’Alsace tweeted: “Thank you all from Kenzo and his family for your immense support and solidarity.
      “I showed your messages to Kenzo, who is very touched. He is recovering slowly. His exchange with his idol @MatteoGuendouzi gave him some comfort.”
      Supporters of the rival teams had already clashed in Corsica ahead of the game, reportedly launching objects at each other.
      A journalist for TV channel France 3 was also hit in the face and, in a state of shock, was taken to hospital by a fire engine. 

      Racist chants were also reportedly heard in the stadium, according to French outlet RMC Sport.
      Ajaccio won the game 1-0 after an 88th-minute goal from Clement Vidal. 
      The adorable schoolboy met his hero Matteo Guendouzi following the horror incidentCredit: Twitter
      Rival fans had already clashed in Corsica before kick offCredit: AFP More

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      in Boxing

      Emotional Chris Billam-Smith dedicates world title win to brave mum who was diagnosed with breast cancer for second time

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      CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH dedicated his hometown world title win to brave mum Carol who was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time just six weeks before his triumph.The 32-year-old took 15,000 fans to his boyhood Bournemouth stadium to dethrone former gym-mate and WBO cruiserweight champ Lawrence Okolie on Saturday.
      Chris Billam-Smith dethroned Lawrence Okolie after his massive triumphCredit: PA
      The Gentleman missed son Frank’s first birthday party on Friday so he could make the weight after a nasty stomach bug.
      And – after securing a majority decision thanks to three knockdowns and Okolie being deducted two points – he revealed a far sadder family tragedy had inspired him.
      Choking back tears he explained: “My mum is an amazing woman, my best mate, my rock.
      “We found out six weeks ago that she has a small lump. 
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      “She had breast cancer before, 25 years ago, and had a mastectomy and it looks like she’ll have another one now.
      “She has also had a stroke, she has beaten all of these things so it’s probably where I get my toughness from.”
      Okolie insisted after the defeat – that could have come inside the distance through disqualification – that he will activate an instant rematch clause and even return to the Cherries’ ground.
      The 2016 Olympian will need to drastically improve his hit-and-hold style that has bored fans before but never resulted in a pro defeat until Saturday.
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      But CBS warned him that he will face a far better version of himself in the rerun, after his fight week was wasted between his bedroom and bathroom and sapped him of his strength.
      “It was gruelling and physical,” he said about the all-English clash. “I was ill all week so I didn’t rehydrate as well or as much as usual.
      “I was never pulling out. I wasn’t letting 15,000 people down. 
      “I had sickness and diarrhoea on Tuesday morning, had a bug, fasted and it carried on until Thursday.
      Billam-Smith dedicated his title win to his mum, who was diagnosed with breast cancerCredit: Getty
      “I made weight easy but it wasn’t nice, I was really low on energy.
      “The doctor had a go at me because I had to lie to him a little bit. But it was worth it.
      “The camp had gone so well so I knew it was too good to be true. Loads of Dioralyte in the week got me through.”
      The newly crowned ace has already jetted out on holiday to celebrate and recover from the clash that left him with a nasty cut on his left eye.
      And the teetotal champ has plenty of grub and some Premier League football on the menu.
      At 1am on Sunday morning he said: “I’m going on holiday in eight hours, my nutritionist is getting married abroad, hopefully he’ll let me eat what I want over there.
      “Coming back here to watch football will be crazy. Hopefully I’ll be on the pitch for the first game of the season.
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      “The football club and the town have been brilliant with me, getting me on the pitch and helping grow my following. 
      “The town has been starved of boxing and now they have got me here, from selling out the arena twice and now here at the stadium with a world title.” More

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      I couldn’t sleep and suddenly lost weight, says Premier League ace David Brooks, 25, as he opens up about cancer battle

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      PREMIER League ace David Brooks has told how he learned he had cancer — but has now given it the boot.The Bournemouth star, 25, was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in late 2021, weeks after scoring for Wales against Croatia.
      Bournemouth ace David Brooks said: ‘I explained to the doctor I’d been struggling to sleep and had some night sweats as well as a sudden drop in weight.’Credit: PA
      Now he is back on the pitch — and supporting Race for Life fundraisers.
      Brooks, from Warrington, Cheshire, recalled: “I went away with Wales and they do a medical check at the start of international duty.
      “I explained to the doctor I’d been struggling to sleep and had some night sweats as well as a sudden drop in weight.
      “Twenty minutes later he came to my room and said, ‘I don’t want to alarm you but everything you have described to me is a symptom of cancer’.
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      “It was a big one to try to digest and knowing you had to ring your mum and dad and tell them something so big when you still didn’t know for sure yourself, meant it was a very tough couple of hours.
      “The worst pops into your head.”
      The Cherries’ midfielder spent 18-months going through intensive treatment after his stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in October 2021.
      Brooks added: “To be able to play football again is a real blessing and I hope people will take part in Race for Life to support the kind of research that helped to get me back on the pitch.”
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      Race for Life, organised by Cancer Research UK, will be holding events across the UK on May 14. More

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      EFL star forced to retire aged 26 due to cancer battle as he writes emotional letter to fans

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      BRISTOL ROVERS defender Nick Anderton has been forced to retire at the age of 26 amid his battle with cancer.The ex-Preston, Blackpool and Carlisle man took to social media on Friday to confirm the news in an emotional post.
      Nick Anderton has announced his retirement from footballCredit: Rex
      It comes four months into his chemotherapy treatment for a rare form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma.
      He has been forced to hang up his boots due to an operation on his femur which required a “complete knee replacement”.
      Speaking the day before his 27th birthday, he said: “I’ve had six months to prepare some words for this moment and I still don’t know what to say.
      “It’s been extremely difficult to come to terms with but I’ve decided today is the day to announce at the age of 26 I have to retire from professional football.
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      “This is due to an operation I had in October 2022 to remove a cancerous tumour from my right femur. This resulted in a complete knee replacement, and a further 12cm of my femur replaced.
      “There was optimism that I could return to playing after the initial planned operation/treatment but a scan five days prior revealed it would not be safe if they didn’t replace the full joint, therefore the operation changed.
      “Looking back on the last 10 years, I have nothing but fond memories.
      “To every club I’ve represented, thank you for the opportunity. To every manager and coach I’ve worked under, thank you for the time you’ve invested in me. To every player I’ve shared a dressing room with and every player I’ve competed against on the pitch, thank you. It’s been an absolute pleasure.
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      “I want to say a massive thank you to every single person who sent messages, donated and said a prayer. Your kind words and support for my family throughout this journey has been incredible and we can’t thank you enough.
      “It’s given me even more motivation to continue fighting and to complete every single millilitre of chemotherapy that I need.
      “Thank you, Nick.”
      Anderton was diagnosed with the illness back in July after undergoing a scan on what he believed to be a leg injury.
      He made 245 senior appearances during his nine-year professional career.
      Last season, he played a crucial role in helping Bristol Rovers secure promotion to League One on the final day of the season.
      They did so in the most incredible fashion, beating Scunthorpe 7-0 to go up on goals scored.
      His No16 jersey is hung up in the Rovers dressing room before every match.
      And the club’s fans have been giving a round of applause in the 16th minute of their games.
      The Rovers squad shaved their heads in solidarity with Anderton in January.
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      A fundraiser has also been set up for him which has raised £46,000 to date.
      And Rovers manager Joey Barton completed the Manchester Marathon last weekend following a promise he made to Anderton. More

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      Ryan Reynolds promises to make Wrexham fan’s dying wish come true after he was diagnosed with cancer

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      RYAN REYNOLDS has promised to meet a Wrexham fan on Saturday after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.The Hollywood actor, 46, who took over as co-owner of the Welsh outfit alongside TV star Rob McElhenney, 46, in 2020, will celebrate promotion to League Two this weekend providing his side beat Boreham Wood.
      Ryan Reynolds has pledged to meet Wrexham fan Jay on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Reynolds previously sent Jay a message via social mediaCredit: BBC
      Wrexham fan Jay Fear, 45, who has been given tickets to the match, was diagnosed with terminal appendix cancer in January – despite doctors previously giving him the all-clear.
      He will travel up from Southampton for the match on Saturday evening as The Racecourse Ground prepares for a party atmosphere.
      And Reynolds has pledged to meet Jay after the supporter mentioned he would love to spend a moment with the Deadpool star.
      Speaking to the BBC, Jay said: “I’ve always loved Ryan Reynolds, ever since Van Wilder [a film Reynolds starred in 21 years ago].
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      “I remember watching that for the first time and thinking that guy was cool.
      “I started watching the [Welcome to] Wrexham programme on Disney Plus and when you watch that you can’t help but love Wrexham.
      “It would be so nice to go to a Wrexham game and actually meet Ryan Reynolds at the same time.”
      The request was sent to Reynolds on Twitter by BBC journalist Peter Gillibrand.
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      The actor then replied: “I’ll find him. Any idea where he’s sitting?”
      Reynolds’ gesture came after he previously sent Jay a private video message.
      In the clip, he said: “I just wanted to send a video and let you know that I’m thinking about you.
      “I’m whispering because my children are asleep, so this is just a little quiet time in the house, which is nice.
      “I know that words are probably too clumsy to express what it is that you are going through, but I want you to know that I’m in your corner and hope that I get to meet you in person one of these days and I’m sending you tons of love Jay.”
      Following the video, Jay’s son, Sam, said: “It’s really taken off a lot. Seeing how many times it’s been shared, is really amazing for our family. The power of social media is incredible.”
      Reacting to Reynolds’ promise to meet Jay, one person on social media said: “This is amazing. What a kind hearted gesture. But we wouldn’t expect less of RRR.”
      Another replied: “That’s Ryan Reynolds for you. One of the nicest people on this planet making dreams come true day after day. I can’t wait to see Jay and Ryan meet this Saturday ❤️.”
      And a third added: “He’s just a genuinely good dude. Love that guy.”
      Wrexham, who have not been in League Two since 2008, will win the National League and secure promotion to the fourth tier with a win over Boreham Wood.
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      They sit four points clear of Notts County with two games remaining.
      Reynolds and McElhenney will fly over from America for the huge match – just like they did for the colossal 3-2 victory over Notts County earlier this month. More

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      Ex-Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas says he wanted to ‘let go of life’ in emotional interview about death of his wife

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      FORMER Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas has opened up on the experience of losing his wife to cancer and how God helped him pull through. The Premier League host’s wife Gemma died at the age of 40 just four days after receiving an acute myeloid leukaemia diagnosis. 
      Simon Thomas has opened up on the death of his first wife GemmaCredit: TikTok / @streams.studio
      Gemma died suddenly due to cancerCredit: Instagram / @simonthomastv
      Thomas has since re-marriedCredit: Instagram / @simonthomastv
      Thomas was left to care for his young son Ethan and consequently took a step back from life in front of the camera.
      Gemma’s sudden death left Thomas at rock bottom but in an inspirational interview he highlights how he kept going, re-found his faith and went on to find love again in new wife Derrina Jebb.
      Thomas spoke to Streams Studio, saying: “We went from Monday night with her being diagnosed with a blood cancer of some sort. For a couple of days, things were looking OK, the treatment was going well but then things just cartwheeled out of control. 
      “On the Friday she falls unconscious and by 8:30 on Friday morning I’m being told by a consultant ‘she’s not going to see out the day’.
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      “The very foundations on which your life has been built are trembling, there’s a massive life earthquake going on.
      “And by 5.45pm on that Friday in November 2017 at the age of 40, with an eight-year-old son and a husband, she’s gone. 
      “The first thing I did when I came out of that hospital was I just sank to my knees and shouted at God: ‘Why? Why, why, why? Why’ve you left my boy without a mum, I don’t get it, I don’t get you God’.”
      Thomas opened up on the anger he had towards his religion and how he collapsed to his knees at Gemma’s funeral before being picked up by a friend and a peaceful service occurred as he remembered good moments.
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      If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
      However, Thomas was still struggling, saying: “I remember on the Saturday morning after funeral waking up as low as I’d ever been.
      “I walked out of the house in my dressing gown and sat on this tree right by the River Thames at the end of the garden in Reading where we lived at the time. 
      “I felt like I was just in this fog of grief and pain and I leant up against this tree and it was only a brief moment, but this moment came when I felt this darkness so inescapable and so oppressive that I thought ‘I can’t do it. I cannot do this, I’m not cut out for this grief.
      “I’m not cut out for being strong enough to navigate my boy through the next few years, and I just wanted to roll into the Thames. I kind of just wanted to let go of life for a minute. 
      “Thankfully, two things happened. I got an image of Ethan and I thought ‘I can’t, he’s just lost his mum.’
      “But the most powerful thing that happened, was I looked to my left and had this really strong sense that there was someone sat there, and I could see the image of this man who was just looking at me, saying nothing.
      “I could just see him weeping and then he was gone. To this day, I believe, and it felt so strong at that time, that that was Jesus sat alongside me.
      “I felt like Jesus right there in that moment was saying ‘I understand, I’ve been there. I know what this feels like, I am going to walk you through this.’
      “I remember feeling this surge of strength coming through me and I thought ‘I’ve got to get up, I’m going to walk back to the house, and I’m not giving up.'”
      Thomas explained that he thought life would never be good again before remembering God gives second chances.
      His opportunity for happiness came in the form of his new partner Derrina, who tied the knot in 2021 and have had a daughter named Talitha.
      Thomas says: “To see how God has brought love into my life again with Derrina has been the biggest surprise but just an amazing blessing.
      “I never thought someone would love me, way too much baggage. And yet he has brought restoration in terms of love. 
      “And now to have a daughter, who came through a really difficult premature period, and to see God at work in that situation, how he cared for her, cared for Derrina, cared for us as a family, and brought us through. 
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      “God is the God of second chances, God is the God who rebuilds lives, who brings restoration out of wreckage and that’s been the story of my life for the last five years.”
      Thomas now works for Amazon Prime Video and campaigns to raise awareness for blood cancer, the fifth most common cancer in the country.
      Ex-Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas says he wanted to ‘let go of life’ in emotional interview about death of his wifeCredit: TikTok / @streams.studio More