Vinnie Jones' wild life – 68 stitch bust-up, huge net worth and wife's tragic death

Vinnie Jones is a legend both on and off the football pitch, after swapping his boots for Hollywood.

The former Premier League icon played professionally for nearly 20 years, before appearing in blockbuster films including Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

He also delighted fans with a stint on Celebrity X-Factor, but away from the limelight, he has also faced heartbreak in his life, as well as a battle with alcohol.

READ MORE: Vinnie Jones takes cheeky swipe at Piers Morgan leaving GMB’s Susanna Reid in hysterics

As Vinnie turns 58 years old today (January 5, 1965), Daily Star takes a look at the legendary actor and footballer’s life.

Football legend

As well as being a Hollywood film icon, Vinnie Jones is also a footballing legend.

Between 1984 to 1999, Vinnie played as a defensive midfielder for teams including Wimbledon, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.

That’s not all, as he also played in 184 Premier League games, along with winning the 1988 FA Cup as part of Wimbledon F.C after the team beat Liverpool.

In total, Vinnie played more than 500 games of professional football throughout his sporting career – and became known for his “uncompromising style of playing on the pitch” according to the Daily Mail.

During his time as a professional footballer, Vinnie also struck up a close friendship with Paul Gascoigne.

Reflecting on their friendship on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Vinnie called Paul: “One of the best, if not the best I’ve played against.”

Paul also returned the compliment, saying: “30 years he’s been a friend,” before breaking down in tears as he called Vinnie “a diamond.”

However, Vinnie chose retire from the sport in 1998 – but that would not be the last we would see of the star, as Vinnie swapped his football boots for Hollywood.

Hollywood fame and Danny Dyer link

Vinnie has since become a Hollywood film legend, after making his on-screen debut in Guy Ritchie’s 1998 classic Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Often playing the ‘hard man’ in the films, Vinnie has appeared in blockbuster hits including Gone In 60 Seconds, Snatch and X-Men: The Last Stand.

He also lent his voice to films such as Madagascar 3, as well as appearing in TV series Arrow, The Musketeers and Elementary.

One of his most famous roles however was in 2001 film Mean Machine, which saw him play a retired footballer who is sentenced to three years in prison.

However, during his time there, he plans to lead the prison football team to victory, along with the help of characters played by EastEnders icon Danny Dyer, Hollywood star Jason Statham and fellow Lock, Stock star Jake Abraham.

It is no surprise that along with his footballing career and Hollywood film roles, Vinnie has an eye-watering estimated net worth of £8.2m ($10m) according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Alcohol battle

Vinnie has spoken openly about his battle with alcohol addiction, with the star revealing that he had 68 stitches in his face following an altercation one evening after drinking.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “I got into a terrible tear-up in South Dakota. Had 68 stitches in my face. All the situations I got in could have been avoided without the booze… You see it coming.”

Vinnie also explained that he was worried about letting his wife Tanya down, adding: “When I was in deep s***, handcuffs, she (Tanya) was more of my worry than the coppers or anything.

“It was her reaction. It was letting her down and disappointing her. Embarrassing her – they were the hard things.”

In 2020, the actor also shared a social media post to mark seven years of sobriety, saying: “Tomorrow is my seven year alcohol DRY anniversary , the worst drug on this planet will get found out one day!!!

“If I can quit, believe me; you can and your life will be a million percent better! I guarantee it.”

Childhood sweetheart

Away from the limelight, Vinnie was married to his childhood sweetheart Tanya Jones.

The pair met when they were just 12 years old while living in Watford, with the couple later going on their first date at the age of 16.

Although romance did not initially blossom between the couple, they reunited when Vinnie was living in London after signing for Chelsea F.C.

He explained to The Guardian that his friends spotted Tanya roller-skating outside their flat, and that he could not believe his eyes when he realised who it was.

“I went: “Oh my God! I can’t believe it!” said Vinnie.

“She was just getting divorced, so it was all meant to be. Do I believe in fate? It’s all very spooky.

“I was living in Leeds, then Sheffield, then moved back into my house after four or five years and she was living next-door-but-one. That’s got to be something.”

Vinnie and Tanya married in 1994, following Tanya’s divorce from her first husband, and former footballer Steve Terry, with who Tanya had welcomed daughter Kaley.

Alongside Kaley, Vinnie and Tanya also welcomed a son called Aaron.

Speaking about Tanya, Vinnie also revealed that his wife’s heart had collapsed when she gave birth to Kaley and that she had to undergo an emergency heart transplant.

After asking Tanya’s dad’s permission to marry her, he recalled that her dad asked him: “You know what you’re taking on?”

“I said: “Yeah, I do know and I’m going to take care of her and look after her,” Vinny told The Guardian.

“I feel she was saved to save me, and I was meant to look after her.”

Along with looking after Tanya, Vinnie works with The British Heart Foundation and appeared in their campaign for hands-only CPR.

Tragic loss

In 2013, Vinnie and wife Tanya were diagnosed with skin cancer, with both receiving treatment following their diagnoses.

However, Vinnie suffered a heartbreaking loss when doctors told Tanya that her cancer had spread to her brain, with his wife sadly dying on July 6, 2019 at the age of 53 years old.

Vinnie Jones’ management released a statement confirming the sad news that said, “At 8.46am local time in Los Angeles on Saturday July 6, Vinnie Jones’s wife, Tanya Jones, passed away after a long illness.

“Tanya passed peacefully at the Jones family home surrounded by Vinnie, their daughter and other family members.

“Vinnie and the family ask for privacy while they go through an understandable period of mourning during this devastating time.”

Speaking in his book, Lost Without You, the star reflected on his wife’s death, saying: “I don’t believe you ever move on, but I think my life will improve.

“The tiredness will ease.”

During an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories in 2020, Vinny also broke down as she spoke about his late wife, after a clip of them together was shared as part of the programme.

“It’s probably the memories…more than anything. She’s such a beautiful person,” Vinnie could be heard saying.

Celebrity X Factor

In 2019, Vinnie took part in Celebrity X-Factor and delighted fans, making it all the way to the semi-finals.

However, the star was eliminated just before the final was due to take place.

Following his elimination, Vinnie thanked the judges and Simon Cowell, crediting the ITV show with helping during his time of grief, after the death of wife Tanya in the same year.

Speaking to the Daily Express about his time on the programme, he revealed that he could not remember much of his stint, as he “felt numb” over Tanya’s death.

However, he explained that he took part as Tanya had wanted him to participate in the show, as one of her last requests.

“I don’t really remember much about it.

“I was numb then I think, it was something that Tanya wanted me to do before she passed, so I had a lot of numbness there.”

He added: “I really, hand on my heart, thank Simon Cowell for saying, ‘Yeah let’s go ahead and bring Vinnie in on this’, because at the time and even now I really have to stay busy, I think that really helped me a lot.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk