Rio Ferdinand's wife dies from cancer

QPR manager says he hopes Ferdinand can "find strength" after death of Rebecca Ellison

The QPR defender, 36, released a statement saying his "wonderful wife and soul mate" Rebecca Ellison had "passed away peacefully" at a London hospital.Ms Ellison, 34, who married Ferdinand in 2009, had breast cancer.She leaves behind three children, Lorenz, nine, Tate, six, and four-year-old Tia.In a statement, Ferdinand said she died on Friday night.

"Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London," the footballer said on QPR's website."She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.

"Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months."

Ferdinand thanked the staff who treated his wife at the south London hospital, adding: "I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clark at the Royal Marsden.

"Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca's all-too-short life will not be forgotten."

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel wrote:

"Really sad news that Rebecca Ellison, the wife of Rio Ferdinand has passed away. My condolences to Rio, their children and the family. RIP"

BBC presenter and former England captain Gary Lineker tweeted:

"Thoughts are with Rio Ferdinand and his family. How dreadfully sad."

In a statement, the west London club said:

"The thoughts of everyone at Queens Park Rangers Football Club are with Rio and his family at this immensely difficult time."Manchester United said: "Everybody's thoughts at #mufc are with Rio Ferdinand today, whose wife sadly passed away last night."Ferdinand, who grew up in Peckham, south-east London, was capped by England 81 times and has also played for West Ham United and Leeds United.

Both sets of players wore black armbands in QPR's match against Liverpool at Anfield, which the home team won 2-1.When Leroy Fer scored in the 73rd minute, he lifted his shirt to reveal a "stay strong family Ferdinand" message.Other team-mates also tweeted their condolences.QPR captain Joey Barton posted: "Just heard the terrible news. RIP Rebecca."Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy wrote: "Devastating news about Rebecca Ferdinand... My thoughts go out to him and his family."

Queens Park Rangers manager Chris Ramsey paid tribute to the courage and dignity of Rio Ferdinand following the tragic death of the player’s wife from cancer.Rebecca Ellison passed away aged just 34 after a short battle with the disease, with a statement released hours before Rangers’ trip to Anfield.Ramsey said Ferdinand had urged his team mates to give their all on Merseyside, but there was an understandably sombre mood in the camp both before and after the fixture.

Both sides wore black armbands in a show of respect as the whole of football offered their condolences to the former England captain. At his former club, Manchester United, a minute’s applause was held on five minute – Ferdinand wore the number five jersey at Old Trafford.

“It does put things into perspective,” said Ramsey.

“There is a very solemn atmosphere in the dressing room. Everyone at the club will tell you, as a man, he has been fantastic. He has come in and trained and kept it all to himself. He is not been moping and has talked to all the young players."He has been a man-mountain. We only have good things to say about him and the way he has conducted himself. Our thoughts are with him and his family and hope they can pull together and find strength at this tragic moment.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers extended his sympathies to Ferdinand and his family.

“Football was secondary today,” said Rodgers.“Everything else was insignificant after I heard the news, so on behalf of Liverpool Football Club and Liverpool as a city we pass on our condolences.”In a moving statement, Ferdinand, 36, described his wife as his “soul mate” who would “live on... as a guide and inspiration”.

With it, Ferdinand also posted online a photograph of himself with his wife taken in happier times.

The couple, who married in 2009, have three children Lorenz, nine, Tate, six, and four-year-old Tia.
“My soul mate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.“She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.“Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca’s parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.“I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff. at the Royal Marsden. Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca’s all-too-short life will not be forgotten.