Andrew ‘Tommo’ Thomas – A Tribute

It is hard to imagine a match day experience at Parc y Scarlets without the enthusiastic tones of Andrew Thomas on the mic. ‘Tommo’, loved by players, staff and supporters alike will prove to be big boots to fill for the West Wales region.
The news of his sudden passing last week has seen tributes flood in from all corners of the world for the charismatic presenter who truly was the sort of person that could make you feel like you’d known him all your life on your first meeting.
Andrew Paul Thomas was born on February 1st 1967 and was brought up in his beloved Cardigan.
Contrary to popular belief, his nickname ‘Tommo’ comes from his love of the group Madness – he was a huge fan, and he shared his nickname with the name of the group’s saxophone player.
It was a dream come true when he was asked to introduce his favourite band onto the stage when they played at Ffos Las last year, but sadly at short notice, the plan was changed. The smile on his face when he watched his idols perform prompted a very close friend to give him his back stage pass on the proviso that it was kept quiet. However, in typical Tommo fashion his Facebook was soon plastered with photos of him sharing a few beers with Suggs and the boys after the gig!
On leaving school, Tommo had a variety of occupations from postman to working in the local butcher’s shop, but he soon found his niché when he began working as a DJ both in Wales and in Spain.
His love of community shone through during the recent pandemic as he regularly entertained both his neighbours and his social media followers with a variety of quizzes, chats and music sets, and he’ll always be remembered for his infamous sketches promoting CK’s Food Stores.

His radio work began when he presented the breakfast show covering West Wales. He was soon nominated for Presenter of the Year at the Arciva Awards which are the radio equivalent of the Oscars. Sadly, the man who wore his heart on his sleeve left the black tie event in Park Lane, London unable to hide his disappointment when he didn’t win, vowing to return victorious. A year later, in 2011 he did just
that, walking off with the title.
He joined BBC Radio Cymru from 2014-2018 before returning home to broadcasting in West Wales. Just a day before his untimely death, he announced he would be fronting a new Welsh language show on a Sunday.

In 2007, he was asked to become one of the match day announcers at Stradey Park, along with the late Monro Walters. Such was his humility, he was convinced that the call was a prank.
However, on August 25th 2007, he took the mic in his first game when the Scarlets played Bath – the testimonial of the great Ray Gravell. Tommo often used to tell the story how, after kicking the ball to start the game, Grav went up to him, kissed him on the head and told him, in Welsh, ‘Tommo, you’ll go far, but remember these words – whatever you want in your life, just go and do it.’
It is perhaps fitting that his first match happened to be the testimonial of the great man, as many have mentioned the similarities between the two in their tributes.
Both not only never forgot their roots, but had huge pride for their ‘milltir sgwâr’ with Tommo’s love of Cardigan and Maesglas on par with Ray’s love of Y Mynydd.
As proud Welshmen their ability to light up a room, always demonstrating a warmth and a genuine interest in people was evident. But for both Grav and Tommo, family was everything. His wife, Donna and son Cian Wyn were his world along with his other family members.
Probably his proudest moment as match day announcer was when the Scarlets reached the Pro14 final for the second season in succession in 2018 and he was invited to share the mic at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
However, it was the Champions’ Cup Quarter final against La Rochelle in Parc y Scarlets that long lived on in his memory as he often recalled fondly standing, watching a capacity crowd waving Scarlets flags, full of expectation.
In his mind, he heard Grav’s words ‘just do it’ so he asked for ‘Yma o Hyd’ to be played over the sound system and proceeded to lead the Scarlets faithful in a rendition that was passion-filled, bringing goosebumps to the 14,000 plus inside the stadium.
Everyone fortunate enough to class Tommo as a friend will have their own story to tell.
Personally, Tommo has christened me with a nickname of my own, one that no one else would get away with calling me, but despite his quick wit, he had an innocence about him and that cheeky grin meant that you just couldn’t help but laugh.
During the 2015-16 season I had taken the plunge and become a player sponsor.
It was a long wait, but finally, on February 12th, my player crossed the whitewash, and for the first time, ‘Helzbach’ would be announced in the stadium.
I can’t begin to describe my pride and excitement, so you can only imagine my reaction when Tommo duly announced, ‘try scored by Morgan Allen, sponsored by Cakes by…..(long pause!) Helsbench?’
I got a lot of stick for that – pun intended! On returning to the press room post match, Tommo was waiting for me and from that evening onwards, following our ‘discussions,’ christened me ‘Helzbitch!’
In the years that followed, he fortunately had plenty of practise saying Helzbach with gusto pitchside, but to my face, I’d always be Helzbitch!
On Saturday, a celebration of Tommo’s life is being held in his beloved Cardigan. Despite the sadness of the occasion, the many memories will I’m sure exuberate a warmth amongst those paying their respects.

Nos da Tommo bach, cysga’n dawel xx