Vinnie Jones reveals late wife Tanya’s emotional message to new girlfriend
VINNIE Jones’s spiritual girlfriend Emma Ford “spoke” to his beloved late missus to discuss their romance — and told him: “I’ve had a chat with ‘Tanz’. I’ve told her I’m going to look after you.”
The former footballer and actor, 59, said his relationship with his PA-turned-partner was able to blossom after she got in touch with wife Tanya, who died five years ago.
Vinnie said he was delighted when Emma, 48, made contact as he was feeling guilty about their budding relationship following his 25-year marriage to his childhood sweetheart.
His world fell apart when she lost her battle with cancer in July 2019, aged 53.
He said: “Having Emma alongside me, she’s fantastic. She is spiritual, and she is sober, and she told me something… ‘I’ve had a chat with Tanz and I’ve told her I’m going to look after you’
“That meant a lot to me. And she has helped me, she’s great fun, I haven’t got my heavy boots on any more. I’ve got my trainers on now and we’re jogging.
“With Emma we sort of came along in each other’s lives, but there are three of us in this relationship because there will always be Tanya and that’s fact.”
“The next step you are always feeling guilty about . . . I’m sure she’s looking down on me. We had 30 fantastic years, embrace that. You never conquer it.”
As part of his recovery process, hardman Vinnie, whose football career ended in 1999 after 15 years, bought a 2,000-acre estate in rural West Sussex in 2022.
He hired Emma to be his PA in the same year.
The revival of the land and farm buildings is at the heart of Vinnie Jones: In the Country which returns to Discovery+ on Monday next week.
It was during the filming of the first series that he fell in for Emma, who he calls “Blondie”.
Though viewers say they could spot the signs watching the show, Vinnie insists it was unexpected.
He said: “I didn’t think I would be in a new relationship.
“I think I was naive to think I would be on my own for the rest of my life. I certainly thought it, and that’s what I wanted.
“Whereas actually your best mates will say: ‘It’s about you. If you want to be with Emma, you be with her, because actually she’s really good for you Vin.’
“When we started to connect and be together, I think I started coming out of the sorrow, pain and grief. I think she kind of got me back on my horse, for sure.”
Finding love again
For the first time, Emma publicly confesses to their romance in the second series.
She says: “What do you want me to say? That I am now Vinnie Jones’s girlfriend? There I said it.”
And though Vinnie also admits it, he does so in his usual jokey manner, saying: “She has now been upgraded, she’s an unofficial PA.”
Then suggests that PA now stands for: “Pain in the arse.” But they seem attracted to one another because both are strong-willed characters, which is obvious as they bicker and banter over chores on his farm.
The bad days will hopefully be less. It’s about moving forward but it’s very hard to sometimes.
Vinnie Jones
Emma says: “He cannot not have control of everything — but he HAS to be in control of everything at all times.”
Former midfielder Vinnie, famed for his no-nonsense approach to football at clubs including Wimbledon and Leeds, adds: “I try and compromise — so long as you compromise in my way.
“As long as I’m right with compromise, it’s fine. With me and her, we’re quite similar in that we’re like: ‘Quick, get it done!
“Do it my way! Crash, bang, wallop! And she does it. So, yeah, it’s good fun.
“You can move forwards slowly and have good days and bad days, you always will.
“But the bad days will hopefully be less. It’s about moving forward but it’s very hard to sometimes.
“I’ve had this wonderful life — football, a lovely marriage, kids and putting them through school, and now it’s a different time.”