Tanya Jones death: Tributes pour in for Vinnie Jones’ wife after death aged 53

Vinnie Jones with his late wife Tanya who he described as 'the most incredible person'.
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Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan are among those to have paid tribute following the death of Vinnie Jones’ wife Tanya.

The mother-of-two passed away aged 53, with her husband by her side, after a long battle with illness.

Mourners offered their condolences to the former footballer after the tragic news was announced late on Saturday.

Good Morning Britain host Morgan wrote: “Such desperately sad news that Tanya Jones has lost her long battle against cancer, aged just 53. She was a delightful woman, and a truly courageous fighter.

“My deepest condolences to Vinnie @VinnieJones65 & all the family. RIP Tanya.”

Match of the Day presenter Lineker said: "How terribly sad. Condolences to @VinnieJones65 and family."

Tanya died peacefully at the Jones' family home surrounded by Vinnie, their daughter and other family members on Saturday.
PA

Morgan's co-anchor Susanna Reid offered her own tribute, saying: “So, so sorry Vinnie @vinniejones65... my heart goes out to you and your family.”

Met Police FC tweeted: “Everyone @MetPoliceFC wishes to extend deepest sympathy to Vinnie Jones, following the tragic death of his wife, Tanya. Our condolences go out to Vinnie and his family at this tragic time."

Jones’s former club Leeds United posted: “The thoughts of everyone at #LUFC are with Vinnie Jones, and the family and friends of his wife Tanya, who has sadly passed away #FootballFamily."

And another former club, Chelsea, also paid tribute, adding: "Our thoughts are with former Blue Vinnie Jones following today’s very sad news."

Tanya died at 8.46am local time (4.46pm UK) on Saturday at the Jones’ family home in Los Angeles, a statement from Jones’ management revealed.

Her husband has not spoken out about the news, but the statement added: "Vinnie and the family ask for privacy while they go through an understandable period of mourning during this devastating time."

The 53-year-old's death is understood to be the result of a complex battle with cancer and other health conditions.

Vinnie and Tanya Jones at the Trooping the Colour Parade in 2009.
PA

Vinnie and Tanya married in Watford in 1994 and renewed their vows in 2007.

She had a daughter, Kaley, by her former husband, and a son, Aaron, with Vinnie.

In 2013, Jones who played for Wimbledon, Chelsea and Leeds United before embarking on a successful acting career, told of how the couple had both been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer.

Tanya previously underwent an emergency heart transplant at the age of 21 following the birth of her daughter Kaley, and is reported to have been treated for cervical cancer twice.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror in 2017, Jones described Tanya as "the most incredible person", adding: "I think we're the perfect match and I was lucky to find it."

AFC Wimbledon tweeted: "Everyone at Wimbledon wishes to extend their deepest sympathies to our former player, Vinnie Jones, following the tragic death of his wife, Tanya. Our condolences also go out to Vinnie's family at this terrible time."

While one Twitter user, under the name Brokenheart, wrote: "So sorry for you Vinnie. Lost my beautiful wife to cancer very recently at age 41. Hope everyone gets behind you. Take care."

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