Rio Ferdinand’s wife dies after battle with cancer

LONDON — Rebecca Ellison, the wife of former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, died last night (May 1) after a “short battle with cancer”, the player said today.

Ferdinand, now at Queens Park Rangers (QPR), released a short statement on QPR’s website at about 4.47pm Singapore time.

“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 led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden. Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca’s all-too-short life will not be forgotten.

“Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately.’

A QPR club statement said: “The thoughts of everyone at Queens Park Rangers Football Club are with Rio and his family at this immensely difficult time.”

Several of Ferdinand’s current and former club and international teammates expressed their condolences on social media. They included Peter Crouch, Leroy Fer, Charlie Austin, Phil Neville, Chris Smalling, Javier Hernandez and Edwin van der Sar.

Ferdinand’s former club Manchester United also tweeted: “Everybody’s thoughts at #mufc are with Rio Ferdinand today, whose wife sadly passed away last night.”