TV presenter criticised for grieving wife's death on social media
A UK television presenter has defended himself on Twitter after being criticised for publicly grieving his wife's death.
Sky News' Simon Thomas, 45, lost his wife Gemma to leukaemia three days after she was diagnosed in November.
Since her death, Thomas has documented his grief on social media, including sharing heartfelt "snack notes" he leaves for his eight-year-old son Ethan.
But on Thursday, a Twitter user questioned why the presenter was making his story public and to "count his blessings".
"Children in war torn countries (Syria) lose both parents, their home and have no support. It’s a fact of life," Normal for Norfolk said in a tweet, which has since been deleted.
“Be thankful for small mercies Simon. Life is precious for all of us. Wishing you well.”
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Another tweet from the same account asked if social media was a "tonic" for Thomas.
"I am just pointing out that thousands experience your pain everyday without the benefit of being well known. Those who's grief is unnoticed," the post read.
The TV presenter responded to the tweets, saying the person behind the comments was either "ignorant or a wind-up merchant".
“I don’t think you’ll find anywhere that I have made out my grief is unique or more than anyone else’s," he said.
“My wife was running a Syrian refugee project when she died so I know the pain of the people of that country. My boy has no mum anymore - that is painful full stop!”
Thomas announced Gemma's death in November, saying she was "surrounded by her friends and family" in hospital.
Since her death, Thomas has been leaving notes for their son every day with his school lunch, reminding him to think of "happy things".
