Simon Thomas (television presenter)

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Simon Thomas

Simon Thomas on the set of Sky Sports News
Born January 26, 1973 (1973-01-26) (age 35)
Cromer, Norfolk
Occupation Presenter
Spouse Gemma Crosland

Simon Thomas (born January 26, 1973 in Cromer, Norfolk) is a British television presenter.

[edit] Biography

Simon Thomas was born in Cromer, Norfolk to Andrew and Gill Thomas. He has 2 sisters called Hannah and Rebecca. Although Thomas initially grew up in Norfolk, the family later moved to Surrey, where he attended Aberdour School in Tadworth, and St. John's School, Leatherhead. After leaving school, he went to Birmingham University, where he graduated with a degree in history.

Thomas began presenting the children's programme Blue Peter on 8 January 1999, after his fourth audition, replacing Richard Bacon. Prior to this, he had worked at Children's BBC and the radio station LBC. During his tenure at Blue Peter, he has run the London Marathon twice running it in 3 hours 13 minutes in 2000 along with two Great North Runs, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as well as Mont Blanc, trained for a parachute jump with the Royal Air Force, presented a medal at the Commonwealth Games, ran in the 60 metres sprint at the Norwich Union Indoor Athletics against Frankie Federicks and Darren Campbell, and even directed an edition of the show. During his time on the programme he also fulfilled his dream of skydiving completing 40 solo sky dives. He also presented the Queen with a Gold Blue Peter badge when she visited the studios and remarked on presenting Her Majesty with the badge that "she could get into the Tower of London free with it".

Thomas co-presented with Stuart Miles, Katy Hill, Konnie Huq, Matt Baker, Liz Barker and Zöe Salmon.

Thomas presented CBBC Proms in the Park in Hyde Park in 2002 with Matt Baker and Faye Tozer from Steps; and in 2003 with Fearne Cotton.

He also presented BBC Radio 3's 'Making Tracks' with Matt Baker.

Thomas announced his intention to leave Blue Peter on January 19, 2005, and his last live show was aired on April 25 of that year.

Thomas married Gemma Crosland in the August 2005, in Sevenoaks Kent, where his bestmen were Kristen Meadows and Graham Dalton. The wedding was attended by Matt Baker, Konnie Huq, Liz Barker and Richard Bacon.

He is also an avid Norwich City fan, as well as being President of the Norwich City Supporters Trust.

Thomas joined Sky Sports in June 2005 and is a presenter on Sky Sports News. He also presents Cricket AM during the summer on Sky Sports 1 with Anita Rani and has presented the Sky Sports Victory Shield, England's U21's games, International Cricket, Sky Sports News Cricket World Cup Report, and in December 2007 the Mosconi Cup from Las Vegas.

[edit] Filmography

  • BBC Blue Peter - Jan 1999-April 2005;
  • CBBC Proms in the Park - Sept 2002, Sept 2003;
  • BBC Radio 3 - 'Making Tracks';
  • Sky Sports News - June 2005 - present;
  • Sky Sports Cricket Am - May 2006 - present;
  • Sky Sports - Victory Shield;
  • Sky Sports - England Under 21's;
  • Sky Sports News Cricket World Cup Report - March-April 2007;
  • Sky Sports - Mosconi Cup, Dec 2007;
Preceded by
Richard Bacon
Blue Peter Presenter No. 27
1999-2005
Succeeded by
Gethin Jones

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Thomas, Simon
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION television presenter
DATE OF BIRTH January 26, 1973
PLACE OF BIRTH Cromer, Norfolk
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH