22-04-2025
Heartbroken wife of champion Lanarkshire bodybuilder pays tribute to her 'rock'
Jimmy Thomson, 87, claimed the Masters Over-40s British title at the age of 60 - one of his proudest achievements to date.
A champion bodybuilder who left a lasting legacy to the sport in his hometown of East Kilbride has died aged 87.
Paying a heartfelt tribute to Jimmy Thomson, his heartbroken wife Janice described the muscle man as her "rock" and an "amazing man" who loved helping others.
The father-of-five, who suffered mobility issues in recent years, passed away in Hairmyres Hospital last Monday, April 14 following a bleed on the brain.
Jimmy featured in the sport pages of the East Kilbride News over his glittering bodybuilding career claiming West of Scotland, Scottish and British titles during his time on the circuit and also winning bronze at the World Championships in 1997.
That same year he claimed the Masters Over-40s British title at the age of 60 - one of his proudest achievements to date.
Opening a gym at Duncanrig Sports Centre where he worked and creating a bodybuilding community through his fitness classes was, Janice said his "lasting legacy".
Speaking to Lanarkshire Live, Janice said: "Jimmy was 44 when he started training and working in Duncanrig Sports Centre. He initiated the opening of a gym and his training really took off from there.
"He started competing and taught bodybuilding classes at the gym which wasn't the norm back then but everyone was interested. He started it all so he's left a lasting legacy.
"Jimmy competed for 20 years all over Scotland and England and even went to the world championships coming third place. He just loved it, it was his life. For his age, he was an amazing man.
"Jimmy was outgoing and loved the limelight. He loved competing on stage and was just a lovely person. He was nice to everybody and treated everyone the same. He would help everybody."
Whitehills couple Jimmy and Janice met in 1992 at Duncanrig Sports Centre while members of the bodybuilding club and after eight years, their friendship blossomed into a heavyweight romance, marrying in Jamaica in 2000.
Despite a 26-year age gap, the couple's bond was as strong as ever as on weekdays Jimmy and Janice would get up at the crack of dawn to hit the gym for 6am.
Janice added: 'We were the best of pals and training partners for 10 years until, I always joke, Jimmy wore me down.
'The two of us were at the same club and got to know each other through training and doing coaching classes. I couldn't believe how hard he trained.
"He was besotted with me and would have done anything for me. He was my rock. I'm heartbroken, I've known him for 38 years. It's only just hitting me now what a big loss he will be.
"But I've had great support from our family and friends."
Jimmy is survived by his five children Elizabeth, Janie, Jamie, Corrine and Kirsty.
A funeral service will be held at the Linn Crematorium on Tuesday, April 29 at 12pm.
