Moving story of Rio Ferdinand's late wife Rebecca – who gave his wedding her blessing

Former England captain Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate Ferdinand will appear in a documentary tonight, February 10.

Rio and Kate: Becoming a Stepfamily on BBC explores the story of what it was like for her to join the family amid a terrible tragedy.

Both Rio’s mother Janet and wife Rebecca had both died of cancer.

His first documentary, Being Mum and Dad, dealt with the struggle he faced after losing Rebecca.

Rebecca Ellison and Rio were married for six years after tying the knot in 2009.

She passed away in 2015 at the age of 34 after a short battle with breast cancer.

Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate (Image: PA)

However, in a moving story told by Rio himself, he revealed how he was able to find someone new, despite not “looking for someone at that time”.

Rio told OK Magazine: “I didn’t think it was possible, I wasn’t open to bringing someone in to become step-mum to the kids. Things don’t always go the way you imagine.

“Meeting Kate changed everything and sometimes it’s just Kate.”

But things were easier after finding out Kate had wanted him to be happy, and gave her blessing for him to move on.

Rio Ferdinand with Rebecca, who died at the age of 34 (Image: Internet Unknown)

She told him, through their close friend Lisa, that she did not want him to be “alone and miserable”.

Rio told The Sun in September 2019: “Rebecca told Lisa something in the final weeks of her life.

“Months later Lisa told me what it was… ‘It kills me to think of Rio with a new partner, Lisa, you know it does. Of course it does.

“But you know what kills me even more? Thinking of him alone and lonely.

“If I don’t make it, Lisa, I don’t want Rio to be miserable. I want him to be happy.”

Last year, on September 27, Rio married Kate, but first turned to Lisa for advice.

He wrote in his autobiography: “To my total surprise, I met someone and at first I wasn’t sure I should let free my feelings.

“In an emotionally vulnerable state, one’s judgement can be all over the place.

“I wanted to get to know this beautiful young woman better and, as I have done on occasions, turned to Lisa for advice.”

Rio and Rebecca got married in 2009 (Image: PA)

He explained how this would have been one of the hardest things Lisa had done for him, because she was Rebecca’s best friend.

Rio continued: “It’s a measure of Lisa’s love that she put aside her feelings, offered friendship to this stranger and gave the relationship her whole-hearted encouragement. I will be forever in her debt.”

Rio and Kate: Becoming a Stepfamily airs on BBC One on February 10 at 9pm.

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk