Former Leeds United favourite Vinnie Jones has opened up on his , paying tribute 'the person who I answered to.'
Tanya passed away earlier this year at the age of 53 following a six-year battle with three forms of cancer.
Vinnie has now given a first, moving interview since she Tanya's death in September, where he reflected on just how much support she gave him.
“I’m a shell. She is the only one... whenever I let myself down, or her down, she was always the strongest, the person who I answered to," Jones told our sister title the Sunday Mirror.
"She wouldn’t give me her blessing to meet someone else – I just know her. I can’t see it happening, I might have friends or whatever, I would be astonished if that happens.
“I think I’ve only got a little way to go until I’m with her, in the spectrum of the universe.”
The couple first met when they were twelve and were married in 1994 and renewed their vows in 2007, when Vinnie wore his original wedding suit.
Vinnie spent a memorable season at Leeds United in 1989-90 when the club were promoted to the top flight, when he become a fan favourite at Elland Road.
He remains a cult hero among Leeds fans and following his retirement from the game in 1999, he wenr into acting and moved to LA with Tanya.
Since Tanya's passing, Vinnie has sold this home.
The thoughts of everyone at #LUFC are with Vinnie Jones, and the family and friends of his wife Tanya, who has sadly passed away #FootballFamily pic.twitter.com/cVzeJo3jLR
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 7, 2019
"There are so many memories there, it is too painful. I had to sell up,” he continued.
Vinnie spoke to the Mirror from Tanya's childhood home near Watford, which is helping him through the grieving process.
“This place is so special to us,” said Vinnie. “Being here does feel good.
"Her brother is living here with me and there is a constant stream of people through the front door.
“An outsider might say, he’s doing well. But in the evenings, I’ve cried almost every night.
"How am I going to go on? One of the guys at golf said, how are you doing? He said: ‘I lost my wife 14 years ago. Let me tell you, it don’t get no better’.”
Vinnie then added: “People say, how did it last?
"And I say because it was real, true love. I think we found true love.”
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