Vinnie Jones has revealed that he ‘still cries every day’ one year after losing his wife to skin cancer as he says he lives his life with her ‘guiding hand on his shoulder’.
The former footballer, 55, had been with Tanya for more than 27 years before her tragic death one year ago on Monday.
Speaking ahead of the heartbreaking anniversary, Vinnie told the Mirror: ‘I still cry every day. I’ve only just lost her. It’s the celebration of her life on Monday, and to be honest I hope I never stop crying.
Candid: Vinnie Jones has revealed that he ‘still cries every day’ one year after losing his wife to skin cancer as he says he lives his life with her ‘guiding hand on his shoulder’
‘I’m not rolling around on the floor bawling my eyes out but what’s happened has brought out emotions in me that maybe I didn’t think I had…
‘Sometimes during the day something strange will trigger it. It’ll be a jolt, and my eyes will water up. She’s with me all the time, I know she is. I feel I’ve got a guiding hand on my shoulder. That’s how I’ll continue to live my life.’
In 2013 the hardman revealed that he and Tanya had both been diagnosed with melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer.
Heartache: The former footballer had been with Tanya for more than 27 years before her tragic death one year ago on Monday (pictured together in 2007)
The couple both initially beat it but Tanya’s cancer later returned and she passed away at the couple’s Los Angeles home last year aged 53.
Tanya had a daughter, Kaley, and the couple had a son, Aaron.
Vinnie has since admitted that many people thought he would go back to drink after Tanya’s death and believed he would use it ‘as an excuse’.
But he said that he persevered and is now celebrating his eighth year of sobriety.
Last month, Vinnie shared a heartfelt tribute to his late wife on what would have been their 26th wedding anniversary.
‘I think of you every night in bed’: Last month, Vinnie shared a heartfelt tribute to his late wife on what would have been their 26th wedding anniversary
He took to Instagram with sweet throwback snaps of the loved-up couple by the pool during their French honeymoon back in 1994.
‘I think of you every night in bed. You were always the only one that could look inside my head’, the X-Men: The Last Stand actor sweetly wrote in an accompanying message.
In the flashback photos, the pair looked happier than ever as they relaxed at their resort in Antibes.
Reminiscing about their time together, Vinnie penned: ‘Today is our 26th Anniversary.
‘I remember our honeymoon in Juan-Les-Pins ; a honeymoon of happiness from two children having fun in our not so torn rags [sic].’
Tragic: Tanya passed away at the couple’s Los Angeles home last year aged 53 (pictured in 2007)
Tender moments: Vinnie candidly spoke of moments he wished he could share with his beloved partner.
The media personality also spoke of moments he wished he could share with his beloved partner.
He continued his touching post: ‘Where do you go to my lovely, I think of you every night in my bed, are there diamonds and pearls still in your hair, I wish I could be buying you a racehorse for Christmas and keeping it just for fun for a laugh ahaha.
‘just look into my face little Tans and i’ll remember just who you are, and i’ll go on and remember you forever because we will always have our beautiful star, deep inside yes we will.
‘I know where you go to my lovely, when im alone in my bed, you know the thoughts that surround me, because you were always the only one that could look inside my head. xxx Vin.’ (sic)
He continued: ‘Where do you go to my lovely, I think of you every night in my bed , are there diamonds and pearls still in your hair, I wish I could be buying you a racehorse for christmas and keeping it just for fun for a laugh ahaha’
Vinnie is now set to release a new book, Lost Without You, which he penned to help others cope with bereavement and grief.
Publishers say the book has ‘the potential to make a real difference to the way people, men, in particular, talk about loss, grief and tragedy.’
On his new project, the Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels star said: ‘I have written this book to honour the life of my extraordinary late wife, Tanya, and to help people going through grief find a way forward.
‘Losing Tanya has been the worst thing that’s ever happened to me and her family and friends, but I don’t want her loss to be in vain.
‘She would have wanted all of us to help others navigate their grief because she was always trying to help people in her own life.
‘I’m very proud to have written this book, and I hope it both honours who Tanya was, and gives comfort to readers who have lost someone.’
Seven Dials publishing director Vicky Eribo said: ‘It is rare to find a book that elicits such a strong and emotional reaction’.
She said: ‘I am full of admiration for the strength he showed and continues to show, in sharing his vulnerability so candidly. I hope this will be a book that helps people in the depths of the unspeakable find an outlet for their grief.’
Painful: Vinnie is set to release a new book, Lost Without You, which he penned to help others cope with bereavement and grief (pictured in 2002)