Simon Thomas

Simon Thomas is a former Blue Peter presenter and he is involved with supporting charities and Christians in Sport

Q What was the most disrespectful thing you did as a teenager?
A  It probably has to be talking back to people. When I was a teenager I thought I knew it all, had everything sorted so I didn’t want to listen to my parents or anyone else in a position of authority. I was a bit lippy to my parents, less so with teachers but then they could always give me a detention! As I got older I realised that actually I didn’t know it all.

Q What were you most proud of doing when you were younger?
A   I am one of those people for whom success didn’t come naturally. When I was younger I had to work hard at everything – whether it was my school work or sport. It wasn’t always the trendy thing to do your homework - you got more street cred if you left writing your essay ‘til the last minute. But I’m pleased I worked hard. I went to university and read history and then persevered to get into television presenting. In terms of sport I was always better at athletics than team games. I did a lot of cross country running and ran for my county, Norfolk, at the age of 10. Running requires a lot of discipline because you have to motivate yourself to train, whereas with team sports you have others to encourage you. So I think I’m also proud of my determination to do well.

Q Which sportsman do you most respect and why?
A  The footballer Sir Bobby Charlton has to be the sportsman I most respect. Although he wasn’t from my era and I wasn’t born when he was playing football I am still hugely impressed by the man. Not only was he a fantastic footballer, he was also dignified. I think the problem is that this attribute is lacking in most sportspeople today. Charlton reached the pinnacle of success in being part of the winning World Cup team, something which the current crop of footballers have yet to do. On the second occasion that I met Sir Bobby, he remembered my name, that’s the type of bloke he is. You don’t forget things like that.

Q What were you like at school?
A I was pretty middle of the road. I definitely wasn’t in the rebel group at school but I would like to think I wasn’t a goody two-shoes either. I was lucky that when me and my mates got into a spot of trouble, somehow I managed to avoid getting caught. I guess I was lucky from that point of view! 

Q What is the worst piece of advice you have been given?
A  The best advice I’ve been given was the old phrase “If at first you don’t succeed try and try again”. I used to think of this when I was trying to break into the media. There’s a lot of competition for very few jobs. Some people are lucky and they get their break overnight but that wasn’t the case for me. I was determined to follow my dream of getting into TV and this determination stood me in good stead. I think people can give up on their dreams too easily these days. You have to give it everything you have. You might not succeed but it’s better to look back knowing you gave it your best shot rather than living with the nagging feeling that you gave up too easily. 
Bad advice – hmmm can’t think of any off the top of my head!

Q Who would you most like to throw a custard pie at (in a respectful way, of course)?
A  George Bush – I don’t dislike him as a person but I do struggle to respect him. He is the most powerful man in the world, in charge of the major superpower and yet I feel he doesn’t use his position of power for good. When it comes to the environment he doesn’t see the global perspective, the same goes for his attitude to Third World debt and the Aids crisis in Africa. America has so much wealth that he could use for good and yet he seems happier spending millions of dollars going to the moon or sending troops into Iraq.

Q Which public figure do you have the most time for?
A  I admire the lead singer of U2 – Bono. I’ve just read a book on him by a French journalist. It was really good. I have always had an admiration for him but wondered if it was all just a show, like he said the right things but didn’t believe them deep down. This book has changed that perception. He does have a genuine passion and concern for Africa, which is amazing. Whatever the success of Live8 what he’s trying to do is so important. I respect him for that, for putting his neck on the line. Critics might say that it’s easy for him to defend the rights of the poor and disenfranchised from a position of affluence but I see a man who is using his position in life to bring about good for those without a voice.

Q Who has inspired you most as a Christian?
A I remember reading David Wilkernson's book The Cross and the Switchblade as teenager. I was blown away by his courage and conviction, he really inspired me. Part of me wishes that I had his faith. Not that I necessarily want to live a life that dramatic but that I had the courage to share my faith with others, for example, in the workplace. Another person who inspired me was Nicky Cruz. If you haven’t read Run Baby Run you should!!