Vinnie Jones, 54, took to Twitter to thank his fans for their support and admitted it has helped him through his “heavy grief”. In view of his 110,000 followers he shared a sweet snap alongside his wife Tanya and captioned the post: “THANK YOU to each and everyone you for your kind thoughts and kind words through this devastating time. “You have all helped us enormously with this heavy grief.” Fans flocked to comment on the heartwarming post, with many offering their condolences to the former professional footballer.
One person said: “All the best Vinnie, stay strong.”
Another person commented: “Our thoughts are with you and your family Vinnie.”
While a third person added: “So sorry for your loss Vinnie. Stay strong pal. Lots of love for you out there!”
Vinnie’s post comes after it was announced that his wife Tanya had died at their home in Los Angeles at the age of 53 last month.
A statement from Jones’s management told The Sun: “At 8.46am local time in Los Angeles on Saturday July 6, Vinnie Jones’s wife, Tanya Jones, passed away after a long illness.
“Tanya passed peacefully at the Jones family home surrounded by Vinnie, their daughter and other family members.
“Vinnie and the family ask for privacy while they go through an understandable period of mourning during this devastating time.”
A source told the publication: “Tanya had been ill for quite a while.
“But the last two or three weeks her condition really deteriorated.
“Vinnie has been by her bedside. It’s heartbreaking news.”
Vinnie and Tanya tied the knot in Watford in 1994 and went on to renew their vows in 2007.
Back in 2013, Vinnie revealed both he and Tanya were being treated for skin cancer.
The actor found a lump under his eye and a check-up revealed he had malignant melanoma.
Tanya developed the same disease and they fought it together, successfully.
The couple met 25 years ago when Vinnie was playing for AFC Wimbledon.
They share one son together, Aaron, and Vinnie is a stepfather to Tanya’s daughter, Kaley, from her previous marriage.
Vinnie described his wife as “the most incredible person” in a candid interview with the Daily Mirror in 2017.
He added: “I think we’re the perfect match and I was lucky to find it.”