Fans pen their 'upmost respect' for Rio Ferdinand/'heartbreaking'

Fans pen their 'upmost respect' for Rio Ferdinand



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Fans were left 'heartbroken' by Rio Ferdinand's documentary Being Mum And Dad - which aired on BBC One on Tuesday night.

The 38-year-old's documentary followed the father-of-three exploring ways of coping with grief, in light of his wife Rebecca Ellison's death from breast cancer aged 34 in May 2015.

Viewers immediately flocked to Twitter to praise the former Manchester United star and pen their 'utmost respect' for him documenting his difficult journey.



The documentary saw Rio speak to numerous other widowers and health care professionals about coping with the loss of a partner - for both himself and the couple's three children, Lorenz, 10, Tate, eight, and Tia, five.

Viewers were left both incredibly touched by his story, but also impressed with his bravery in opening up about his grief with the public.

While another added: 'This a truly honest and touching portrayal of effects of grief. Massive amount of respect to @rioferdy5 & others involved #BeingMumAndDad'

Acknowledging it as one of the most inspirational feats he has acheived across his career, another wrote: 'In many ways, Rio will have more impact with this than any kick on a football field.'



Having talked to a number of fellow widowers about the grieving process, Rio reflected: 'I don't think I've grieved properly.

'[The widowers] all seemed so clear, like they’ve gone through it all clinically, but I don't feel like I've done that yet. I've not given myself that time to sit down and flush everything out and go through it.

'I don't ever sit and dwell - and being busy helps that. I've been preparing for the day I retire for five or six years, so I had things in place I could walk into - my restaurant, foundation, and TV work.'

'None of us knew it would coincide with what happened to Rebecca. But it did, so I didn't need to think too much

He went to admit he was grateful for his busy working schedule, adding: 'I feel better when I'm working, its my defense mechanism I suppose.

'I’m not in a position right now where I can sit down and chill. I don't like having certain thoughts in my head.'

Having thrown himself into his projects however, Rio even admits himself that her actual death in May 2015 still remains unclear in his head.

'It all became a bit of blur,' he explained. 'So if anyone asks me now, I can't explain what happened.'

'The last time she was at home she tried to talk about it, but I just blocked it out. I just said, 'Why are you talking like that? You're going to be alright.' I’d close up.'

This method of distraction had also become apparent to his mother Janice - who also appeared on the show as a huge female influence in his children's lives.

She said of her son: 'Being 100mph is the only way he gets through, he can't just stop because that's when he has to think about his loss and his children's loss.'