Tanya Jones, the wife of actor and former footballer Vinne Jones, has died at the couple’s home in Los Angeles aged 53.
Jones’s management confirmed the news and said the actor was by his wife’s side when she passed away.
“At 8.46am local time in Los Angeles on Saturday July 6, Vinnie Jones's wife, Tanya Jones, passed away after a long illness,” a statement read.
“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.”
The pair married in 1994, when Vinnie was playing for AFC Wimbledon, and renewed their vows in 2007. Tanya had a daughter, Kaley, by her former husband, and a son, Aaron, with Vinnie.
In 2013 they both revealed that they were being treated for skin cancer – Tanya had been diagnosed years earlier, while Vinnie, who has starred in films including Snatch and X-Men: The Last Stand, had learned that he had a malignant melanoma below his eye.
Jones described Tanya as “the most incredible person” in a 2017 interview with the Daily Mirror, adding: “I think we're the perfect match and I was lucky to find it.”
Sporting figures and celebrities have sent messages of condolence on social media.
Former boxer Frank Bruno tweeted: “I'm very saddened to hear the news of Vinnie Jones wife Tanya passing away. My thoughts are with Vinnie & his family at this difficult time”.
Ex-Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell said: “Deepest Condolences to you, your family and loved ones VinnieJones65”.
