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Simon Thomas Says Son Discovered His Alcoholism, Calls Shame Central to Recovery

His podcast account highlights a parent working to repair harm after grief-driven addiction.

Overview

  • Thomas, speaking on Matt Willis' On The Mend podcast this week, said his young son realized he was drinking during their grief and he still feels deep shame about it.
  • He recalled hiding alcohol in his evening Diet Coke and said releasing the shame has been harder than stopping the drinking itself.
  • The presenter has said he bought and drank a bottle of vodka a day after Gemma died in 2017, three days after an acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis.
  • He stepped back from Sky duties to care for Ethan, who was eight at the time, and later formed a new family with partner Derrina and their two young children.
  • He frames public candor about addiction and parenting as part of recovery, adding detail about how concealment and grief left lasting memories for his son.