Entertainment

Vinnie Jones: I want to help people going through grief

The footballer-turned-actor’s wife Tanya died after suffering from cancer.
The footballer-turned-actor’s wife Tanya died after suffering from cancer. The footballer-turned-actor’s wife Tanya died after suffering from cancer.

Hardman Vinnie Jones is turning author with a book to help others through grief.

The footballer-turned-actor’s wife Tanya died last year aged 53, after suffering from cancer.

Jones, 55, will be releasing a personal memoir on his grief following the death of his beloved partner of 27 years.

Publishers say the book has “the potential to make real difference to the way people, men in particular, talk about loss, grief and tragedy.”

Vinnie Jones and Tanya
Vinnie Jones and Tanya Vinnie Jones and Tanya (Myung Jung Kim/PA)

Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels star Jones 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.”

Lost Without You will be published by Seven Dials in hardback, ebook and audio on September 3.