Rebecca Ellison, the wife of footballer Rio Ferdinand, has passed away after a short battle with cancer.
The 35-year-old had been treated at the Royal Marsden, a specialist cancer treatment hospital in London.
Ferdinand confirmed the news in a statement published on the Queens Park Rangers website this morning (May 2), which read: "My soul mate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
"She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.
"Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.
"I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden. Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca’s all-too-short life will not be forgotten. Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately."
Footballers show support to Rio Ferdinand after his wife Rebecca dies of cancer http://t.co/aOq7lP75zX pic.twitter.com/39MK8KgxjI
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 2, 2015Rio Ferdinand's wife has passed away after battle with Cancer. My thoughts are with Rio and his family. #RIP pic.twitter.com/cm6iWf4VAV
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@TeamCRonaldo) May 2, 2015