It’s been a heartbreaking couple of weeks for former Blue Peter presenter Simon Thomas, since his wife died suddenly at the end of November.
Gemma was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia and died just three days later, leaving her husband and eight-year-old son Ethan devastated.
Following her funeral yesterday, grieving Simon found the strength to say farewell to his sweetheart on social media.
The Sky Sports frontman, 44, posted a lovely picture of Gemma smiling, alongside an achingly poignant tweet that read: “Today we said goodbye. I’ll always love you darl xx.”
And the message certainly struck a chord with his fans, as it received more than 24,000 likes.
Many of Simon’s followers offered sweet messages of support, with one saying: “It’s not goodbye… She will always be there in yours and your son’s thoughts… always #smileforGemma.”
Another soothed: “May you always find comfort in the beautiful son that you and your gorgeous wife created. Life can be so cruel.”
Read more: TV presenter posts heartbreaking message two weeks after sudden death of wife
And a third added: “So sorry at your sad loss. Be strong for your boy. You need each other at this difficult time X.”
Since Gemma’s tragic death, Simon has posted a series of deeply touching pictures on social media.
As well as some beautiful pictures of his wife and son together, he shared a photo of a fractured mug with ‘Mummy’ written on the side of it. His caption read: “Mummy. Broken.”
And he also uploaded a picture Ethan had drawn of his mother. The little lad had scrawled along the top: “Best mum ever!!!”
Earlier this week, Simon posted an emotional message of thanks to the hundreds of people who’ve offered a shoulder to cry on.
He tweeted: “Two weeks on since she went. I have only been able to read a fraction of the incredible outpouring of love and support for us on here in the painful days that followed.
Read more: TV presenter shares son’s heartbreaking tribute to his late mum
“One day, with my boy, we will read them. For now, all I can say from the depths of my heart, is thank you.”
Our heart really goes out to Simon and Ethan at this difficult time.