Vinnie Jones has recently revealed how he navigated the tumultuous waters of love after the devastating loss of his wife, Tanya, five years ago. The former football star, known for his tough-guy roles on-screen, opened up about this emotional transition, illustrating his unexpected blossoming romance with Emma Ford, hinting at the rediscovery of joy amid sorrow.
Initially, it seemed unlikely for the 59-year-old actor to find love again. After Tanya passed away from cancer, Jones felt certainty about closing the chapter on relationships. "I never thought this would happen in a million years," he stated reflectively from his seat at a West End hotel. He continued, "After losing Tanya, I thought, ‘I’m done.’ But as time progresses, life takes its unexpected turns.
During his exclusive interview, Jones recalled the harrowing days following Tanya’s passing. He felt the sting of isolation—particularly acute during the throes of the pandemic. Living alone in Los Angeles, he faced the disheartening aftermath of watching friends slowly fade from his life. Their kindness diminished as the initial shock of loss wore off. “Everyone dried up with calls and texts. That’s when it got lonely,” he confessed. The feelings of anger, pain, and remorse were ever-present but mixed with fond memories of their happier times spent together, making the process of grieving fraught with complexity.
Jones had married Tanya after rekindling their relationship years after initially dating as teenagers. The couple had confronted life’s challenges together, including Tanya's battle with her health—a fight against skin cancer which tragically spread to her brain, leading to her death in July 2019. Reflecting on Tanya, he described her as the family's backbone who embraced homemaking, allowing him to focus on his demanding career.
Fast forward to now, and Jones is not just surviving; he is thriving with his new partner Emma Ford, whom he describes as kindred spirit. Their connection sparked when they met through mutual acquaintances after Jones returned to England, purchasing a farm reminiscent of his childhood. He feels increasingly comfortable moving forward with Emma by his side, and they've built their relationship cautiously, allowing genuine feelings to blossom organically.
Emma Ford, who’s worked as both an actor and script consultant, completes the picture for Jones. He talked about the early days of their connection, intertwined with work; they collaborated on his recent show, Vinnie Jones in the Country, showcasing his rich knowledge of British wildlife. “Our feelings grew stronger and stronger,” shared Jones, indicating the sustainable path of their budding romance.
Though it seems unlikely earlier, Jones didn’t shut down the idea of marriage entirely. His laughter filled the room as he jokingly stated, “I’d never say never again!” This reflects his newfound openness to the future. Highlighting the balance of their lives, he commented, “With Emma, it’s different. We each have our track, but then we also have our track together.”
On the work front, Jones is set to return to the West End stage, preparing for his role as gangster Danny Driscoll in the musical adaptation of Only Fools and Horses. The nostalgia connected with this show possesses significant emotional weight for him, reminiscent of his childhood. “This show was massive when I was growing up, and I have butterflies about doing this,” he admitted. Touching on the depth of the characters and stories, he reflected on how connected he felt to them, having experienced the ups and downs of camaraderie among his Wimbledon teammates during their glorious yet challenging football career.
While it’s easy to perceive Jones as merely the burly and fierce character he often portrays, this recent chapter of his life showcases his growth and emotional evolution. He’s moved from being the tough, relentless exterior to reveal more nuanced layers of emotion.
Discerning viewers can see the invitation for empathy he provided through his candor during the interview. Jones’s story appears to be one of resilience under the stranglehold of tragedy. He has matured from impulsively reacting to life's challenges through anger and alcoholism—a path he managed to walk away from after he achieved sobriety back in 2012.
His life, which has been punctuated by incidents resulting from his wild early days, indicated his shifting priorities and perspectives. “I was strong enough and brave enough to stop the alcohol... Now I can see trouble coming,” he proudly declared, reflecting on his sobriety and its positive impact on his life. Weeks after Tanya's death, he even participated in The X Factor: Celebrity, trying to fill the void but initially aware he was not truly engaging with grief. That pretense is now behind him as he joyfully embraces life again.
On family matters, Jones confirmed his adult children are supportive of his happiness. “Oh yeah, and Tans would want me happy. One hundred percent,” he assured. This reassurance appears to underline the closure he sought to achieve since her passing—moving forward not just for himself, but also for the memory of Tanya.
Life, as per Vinnie Jones, teaches us to embrace the ebb and flow of what we experience. It’s traditional for relationships to evolve or dissipate with time; nevertheless, his unanticipated rebirth from grief provides hope. His newfound connection with Emma reflects not just personal healing, but the transformation of love, appropriately placed at the center of what it means to be human.
His narrative serves as inspiration as life tests individuals with unexpected trials. Perhaps love isn’t merely defined by who one was with but also by who one can become along the way. How Vinnie Jones continues to navigate this new relationship will surely motivate others facing similar trials. Even amid grief, love has shown it can flourish.
