Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad
BBC ONE, 9.00PM; NI, 10.45PM
“I don’t think I’ve grieved properly,” confesses Rio Ferdinand in this revealing documentary. “Nowhere near. I need help, I know that.” The former Manchester United and England captain lost his wife Rebecca to breast cancer two years ago, aged just 34. Now we follow him on an intensely personal journey as he adjusts to life as a single parent and discovers how other families handle grief.
With around 75 men under the age of 50 becoming widowers every day in the UK, the film offers a broader insight into how they cope, as other bereaved husbands and fathers – including golfer Darren Clarke – share their experiences. Men often face stigma in displaying or discussing their emotions (British males are half as likely to seek counselling as women) so face additional obstacles in moving on.
However, Ferdinand, a father-of-three, visits therapists and support groups to explore ways of managing grief. He also looks at what help is available as parents and children try to mould new lives. It’s courageous for a footballer-turned-pundit to open up like this, let alone cry on camera. Ferdinand’s thoughtful odyssey makes for a poignant hour.