Footie hardman Vinnie Jones opens up on finding love again after wife Tanya’s tragic death

FOOTIE hardman Vinnie Jones has opened up on finding love again, saying: “I never thought this would happen.”

The midfielder-turned-actor, 59, is dating 47-year-old script consultant Emma Ford — five years after the death of his wife Tanya from skin cancer.

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Vinnie with late wife Tanya, who tragically died from skin cancer five years ago[/caption]

He had vowed that he would spend the rest of his days single — before meeting Emma on his In The Country reality TV show.

 The former Wimbledon star, who lives on a West Sussex farm, said: “You think and say a lot of things when the tragedy first happens.

“I didn’t say I would never have a girlfriend again but I didn’t think I would at the time.

“As time goes on you move centimetres forward. Different things come to life again in your body and your soul and your heart.

“After she died, I thought, ‘I’m done’.

“I never thought this would happen.”

Vinnie and Tanya had been married for 25 years when she died aged 53.

The Gentlemen actor added: “I was on my own after the funeral, everybody had gone.

“The calls dried up. They had nothing to say. That’s when it got lonely.”