New agony for Rio as mum dies of cancer
FOOTBALL hero Rio Ferdinand was rocked by the death of his mother from cancer yesterday.
The former England and Manchester United captain was at Janice St Fort’s hospital bedside with her other immediate family as she died, aged 58.
His heartbreaking loss comes just two years after his wife Rebecca Ellison was killed at the age of 34 by breast cancer.
A family statement called Mrs St Fort a “devoted mother” and “an inspiration”. It said: “We are heartbroken to announce our amazing mum Janice passed away today after an ongoing battle with cancer.
“She was an inspiration to us all and was loved by everyone who knew her. She died at Guy’s Cancer Unit, London Bridge Hospital, with her loving husband Peter and us, her four children, by her bed. She was a devoted mother to us all and the most incredible grandmother to our children. The whole family are devastated.
“Our mum was the centre and the heart of our family and has supported us all through many difficult times, always with a smile on her face.
“Her strength and courage, as well as her great sense of humour and immense kindness, were never-ending.”
The family thanked the cancer unit’s caring staff and “everyone who sent kind wishes to us during this difficult time”.
Rio retired from football in 2015 to launch a successful TV career – but soon after was hit by the loss of wife Rebecca, whom he had wed just six years earlier.
They had three children – daughter Tia, six, and sons Tate, eight, and Lorenz, 10 – and he was left to raise them all alone. The star, 38, won praise for discussing cancer and his life as a single dad of three in BBC1 documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum And Dad. His mother also appeared in the programme at his house in Locksbottom, Kent.
Mrs St Fort, maiden name Lavender, was one of six children and was largely raised by her dad in south-east London after her Irish mother left home.
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As a teenager she dated a boy called Julian Ferdinand, from St Lucia, and they later had two children, Rio and Anton.
The couple lived on a council estate in Peckham and never wed. After they split Janice married Peter St Fort and had two children, Sian and Jeremiah.
Anton, 32 – a top footballer like his brother – also paid tribute to his mother yesterday. He wrote: “I have lost my loving, caring and forever selfless mum.
“For 32 years of my life you’ve done nothing but put me first. Always cared and worried about others before yourself.
“An inspiration to me, my brothers, my sister, her husband Peter and anyone she had in her life.”
Rio began his rise to football stardom with West Ham at 17 and was just a year older when he made his England debut.
Leeds United signed him in 2000 and he joined Manchester United in 2002.
He was said to have recently found love again with Kate Wright, of TV’s The Only Way Is Essex. They were pictured this week smiling, holding hands and looking “besotted with each other” after dinner at a London sushi restaurant.