"It's been a rollercoaster 18 months for me," admits humble Simon Edwards with classic understatement.

You can say that again.

For those of you who may have been on the moon while Simon's incredible story unfolded, former North Herts College student Simon hit the headlines in the spring of 2021, when he discovered he was the sole heir to a multi-million pound fortune, after finding his long-lost dad to be iconic US boxing commentator 'The Colonel' Bob Sheridan.

Since then, life, as modest dad of two Simon says, has been hectic.

Simon volunteered as a Top Field steward at Hitchin Town home games, before his life changed forever a year back during lockdown.

The Hitchin Town fan found time to have a quick chat with Layth - who met Simon a decade ago when reporting on Canaries matches, after initially helping to save Top Field from property developers back in 2014.

Read on for their Q&A.

Nub News: Happy New Year Simon. What have you been up to since you discovered you were Colonel Bob's long lost son?

Simon Edwards: Happy New Year Layth, hope you're well buddy. It's been a rollercoaster 18 months for me. I have been in between Ireland, Vegas, Philippines and Brazil.

My biological father Colonel Bob Sheridan unfortunately passed away last September. I did not receive £200m as reported by numerous media outlets.

The truth was I only received 10 per cent of the reported figure of the estate - which totalled £20m, as Bob had spent a lot of his money already.

Nub News: That's still a life changing amount of money no less...

Simon Edwards: Yes. As the sole heir I have set my daughters up for life already, and will spend the rest of my life travelling watching sport events with my new wife - a Brazilian model I met backstage on a US talk show.

Nub News: Good for you mate, what else have you been up to then?

Simon Edwards: I have been helping Marshall Mathers - who was a very good friend of my father - find new music talent.

He's also known as US rapper AKA Eminem - and from my time in the Philippines I introduced him to a guy called EZ Miller who I rated while I was working in Manila a couple of years ago.

Nub News: I hear you've also been offered a role on a famous BBC show...?

Simon Edwards: I had some media duties to tie up at the BBC studios last week. While I was there I was offered a role in Dr Who. I am contemplating taken it, but to be honest Layth I don't need the stress and hassle of acting and remembering lines so although flattering to be asked will likely turn it down.

Also, I want to make my own way in life and not live off the back of my late father's fame and contacts.

Nub News: Very admirable Simon. See you at Top Field again one day.

Let me know if you need anything else mate, I am currently in Derry but fly back to Brazil with Marcia on Monday morning.

Marcia and I got married in Brazil late last year and have a ceremony in Ireland coming up in the summer so everyone we know can join us for the celebration. Happy New Year Layth.

..........

Simon's incredible story to date

Simon, who was adopted as a baby, made the incredible discovery after he tracked down his family tree in Ireland during lockdown.

Huge Hitchin Town fan Simon, 42, contacted 'The Colonel', the renowned Boston-born journalist who covered famous prize fights throughout his long career when he found out that his birth mother was Rosemary.

She sadly died in 1985 when Simon was five - leaving nine sisters and one brother.

Rosemary, from County Clare in the west of Ireland is said to have had a clandestine meeting with Mr Sheridan while working in a hotel where he was staying on holiday in 1980.

The result of the dalliance was Simon, who was born in Newham, east London, before being handed to a Catholic charity for adoption, prior to being adopted by British Aerospace scientist Mike Edwards and his wife Sue, a healthcare worker.

Simon's blood father was world-famous boxing commentator known as 'The Colonel' - who covered Muhammed Ali's 'Rumble in the Jungle' with George Foreman in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) - said before he died that he was unaware Rosemary became pregnant with his secret son.

Simon visited his birth father for the first time at Mr Sheridan's plush $150m villa in Las Vegas in the summer of 2021.

The Colonel was recognised worldwide for his distinctive baritone voice that has made him one of boxing's most famous characters - and has covered more than 10,000 fights which include 100 heavyweight title fights.

His most famous bouts include the majority of Muhammad Ali's fights including the Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman and the Thriller in Manila against long-time foe Joe Frazier.

Mr Sheridan also called many of Mike Tyson's fights, including Buster Douglas's famous victory as well as the bout that saw Tyson bite off a part of Evander Holyfield's ear.

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