Rio Ferdinand releases heart-breaking statement following death of his wife, Rebecca

Terrible tragedy.

Rio Ferdinand has released a statement, through his club, QPR, following the death of his wife, Rebecca Ferdinand [nee Ellison]. Ferdinand, who had three children with Ellison, has expressed his profound grief that his "soul mate" has lost her battle with cancer. Here is the statement in full:

'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.'