Tanya Jones, the wife of British actor and former footballer Vinnie Jones, has died after battling cancer. She was 53.
“Tanya passed peacefully at the Jones family home surrounded by Vinnie, their daughter and other family members,” a representative for the family said in a statement to The Sun.
She died at 8:46 a.m. local time in Los Angeles on July 6, the representative said.
Vinnie Jones and wife Tanya both battled skin cancer at the same time before her death https://t.co/h2pO2Tm4Nv
— The Sun (@TheSun) July 7, 2019
“Vinnie and the family ask for privacy while they go through an understandable period of mourning during this devastating time,” the spokesperson concluded.
The couple married in 1994, back when Vinnie Jones played for AFC Wimbledon. They share a 28-year-old son, Aaron.
Following their marriage, the two moved to Hollywood where Vinnie Jones pursued his acting career.
He made his big screen debut in Guy Ritchie’s “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” in 1998, according to IMDb. Other films include “Snatch” (2000), “Gone in 60 Seconds” (2000), “Mean Machine” (2001), “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006), and “The Midnight Meat Train” (2008),
He’s also starred opposite Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwartzenegger in the 2013 action film “Escape Plan.”
Vinnie Jones appeared in several TV shows, such as “Elementary” (2013), “Psyche” (2014), “Deception” (2018), and “Arrow” (2015-2018), according to IMDb.
In 2013, Vinnie and his wife revealed that they were both being treated for melanoma, a deadly skin cancer.
Melanoma
Melanoma results when “unrepaired DNA damage to skin skills—arising from UV radiation, sunshine, or tanning beds—triggers mutations that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors,” according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
The majority of melanomas are dark in color and can resemble moles, according to the site. If recognized and treated early enough, melanoma is almost always curable, otherwise it can spread and become fatal. According to the site, “an estimated 192,310 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year.”
Celebrity Tributes
Following the news of Tanya Jones passing away, several celebrities and sports figures took to social media to pay their respects.
English broadcaster, journalist, writer, and television personality Piers Morgan wrote on Twitter: “Such desperately sad news that Tanya Jones has lost her long battle against cancer, aged just 53. She was a delightful woman, and a truly courageous fighter.
My deepest condolences to Vinnie & all the family. RIP Tanya.”
Such desperately sad news that Tanya Jones has lost her long battle against cancer, aged just 53. She was a delightful woman, and a truly courageous fighter.
My deepest condolences to Vinnie @VinnieJones65 & all the family. RIP Tanya. pic.twitter.com/f2mulpCWQG— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 7, 2019
English actor and producer, Scott Williams wrote on Twitter: “This is tragic. Vinnie is one of the kindest actors I’ve ever worked with and I know that he’ll be devastated. Thoughts are with you and the kids big man.”
This is tragic. Vinnie is one of the kindest actors I’ve ever worked with and I know that he’ll be devastated. Thoughts are with you and the kids big man. ???? https://t.co/8DahuUui9M
— Scot Williams (@scotwilliams) July 7, 2019
British boxing legend Frank Bruno shared on Twitter, “I’m very saddened to hear the news of Vinnie Jones wife Tanya passing away . My thoughts are with Vinnie & his family at this difficult time.”
I’m very saddened to hear the news of Vinnie Jones wife Tanya passing away . My thoughts are with Vinnie & his family at this difficult time ????????
— Frank Bruno MBE ???????? (@frankbrunoboxer) July 6, 2019
Leeds United also shared a tribute, writing on Twitter: “The thoughts of everyone at #LUFC are with Vinnie Jones, and the family and friends of his wife Tanya, who has sadly passed away.”
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
