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| Rio Ferdinand pays tribute to late mother | Rio Ferdinand pays tribute to late mother |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has paid tribute to his mother, Janice St Fort, calling her "a little fighter" after the 58-year-old died on Thursday from cancer. | Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has paid tribute to his mother, Janice St Fort, calling her "a little fighter" after the 58-year-old died on Thursday from cancer. |
| The footballer posted a message to "Mummy" on Instagram with a picture of them together. | The footballer posted a message to "Mummy" on Instagram with a picture of them together. |
| Thanking his "huge hearted" mother, Ferdinand said all he had wanted to do "was to make you proud". | |
| In May 2015, Ferdinand's wife Rebecca, 34, died of breast cancer. | In May 2015, Ferdinand's wife Rebecca, 34, died of breast cancer. |
| The ex-Manchester United defender referred to the support Mrs St Fort had given him and her three grandchildren following his wife's death. | The ex-Manchester United defender referred to the support Mrs St Fort had given him and her three grandchildren following his wife's death. |
| He said: "At my most difficult time, you were my shining light and made it your mission to be there for me and my kids... trust me that will never forgotten." | He said: "At my most difficult time, you were my shining light and made it your mission to be there for me and my kids... trust me that will never forgotten." |
| Earlier this year, Ferdinand appeared in a BBC documentary, Being Mum & Dad, where he spoke about his difficulties in dealing with grief and finding the best way to talk to their children about the loss of their mother. | Earlier this year, Ferdinand appeared in a BBC documentary, Being Mum & Dad, where he spoke about his difficulties in dealing with grief and finding the best way to talk to their children about the loss of their mother. |
| In an emotional eulogy to his mother, Ferdinand said: "You were fiery, you were protective, you were soft and hard faced when need be... you loved hard, you disciplined me, you were a grafter & you were my everything." | In an emotional eulogy to his mother, Ferdinand said: "You were fiery, you were protective, you were soft and hard faced when need be... you loved hard, you disciplined me, you were a grafter & you were my everything." |
| Ferdinand's brother and former Premier League footballer Anton also paid tribute to their "loving, caring and forever selfless mum" on Instagram. | |
| "Mum for 32 years of my life you've done nothing but put me first!" he said. | |
| "Always cared and worried about others before yourself, an inspiration to me, my brothers, sister and husband Peter and anyone she had in her life." | |
| Friends and former colleagues tweeted messages of support to the brothers. | |
| To Rio, Gary Lineker tweeted: "Thoughts are with @rioferdy5 and family. They've suffered way too much lately." | |
| Sol Campbell tweeted: "So sad to hear my England team mate and friend's mother Janice passing away. My heart goes out to you and your family Rio @rioferdy5. RIP." | Sol Campbell tweeted: "So sad to hear my England team mate and friend's mother Janice passing away. My heart goes out to you and your family Rio @rioferdy5. RIP." |
| Former West Ham and Aston Villa footballer Marlon Harewood tweeted to Anton: "So sorry for your loss bro." | |
| Mrs St Fort died at Guy's Cancer Unit in London Bridge Hospital on Thursday with her husband Peter and her four children at her bedside. | Mrs St Fort died at Guy's Cancer Unit in London Bridge Hospital on Thursday with her husband Peter and her four children at her bedside. |