British actor and former footballer Vinnie Jones has publicly shared the devastating moment he learned of his beloved mother's passing, offering a poignant glimpse into his personal grief while continuing professional commitments.
The Tragic News During Filming
Vinnie Jones has revealed that his mother, Glenda Jones, died several months ago at the age of 80 following a heart attack. The heartbreaking news reached him while he was actively filming the third series of his popular television programme, Vinnie Jones in the Country, which airs on the Discovery+ streaming platform.
A Distressing Early Morning Call
Speaking candidly to The Sun newspaper, Jones recounted receiving a life-altering phone call at 7am while in London. His sister delivered the tragic news that their mother had passed away unexpectedly. "I lost my mum while we were doing the show," the actor emotionally disclosed, highlighting the difficult timing of this personal tragedy.
Despite this profound loss, Vinnie made the conscious decision to continue with his filming schedule rather than returning home immediately. He explained his reasoning, stating that retreating home to "sit at bed" would not have been beneficial for his mental wellbeing during the initial stages of grief.
Coping Through Work and Connection
The actor described maintaining his professional composure throughout the filming process, with none of the production team initially aware of his recent bereavement. The emotional breakthrough came during an evening filming session while searching for a rare white fallow deer, referred to as "the ghost" by the crew.
A Supportive Professional Relationship
It was during this wildlife tracking expedition that cameraman Charlie approached Vinnie after learning about his mother's death. "He said I'm really sorry about your mum and all that. And we started chatting about it and we opened up," Jones recalled, emphasizing the importance of having appropriate people to confide in during times of emotional distress.
Jones noted that while discussing mental health struggles can be therapeutic, it requires speaking with the right person in a safe environment. He expressed particular gratitude toward Charlie, stating he felt "safe" to share his grief with the cameraman, which provided meaningful emotional support during a challenging period.
Personal Resilience Amid Multiple Losses
This recent bereavement follows another significant tragedy in Vinnie Jones's life. His wife Tanya passed away in July 2019 at age 53 after a courageous six-year battle with cancer, adding context to the actor's experience with profound personal loss.
Finding New Happiness
Amid these difficult chapters, Jones has found renewed happiness through his work on the countryside programme. While filming the first series, he met personal assistant Emma Ford, who now appears on the show helping manage his farm in Petworth, West Sussex.
Friends close to the actor have commented on his positive transformation since developing this relationship with the former model, noting how he has rediscovered joy following periods of significant personal hardship.
Professional Success Amid Personal Challenges
Vinnie Jones in the Country launched on Discovery+ in November 2024 and has developed a dedicated following. The programme's first series documented Jones taking on ambitious agricultural projects across 2,000 acres of West Sussex countryside, while the second season featured familiar personalities including builder Wobbly and Pip the Dog.
The actor's decision to continue working through his mother's passing reflects both his professional dedication and personal approach to processing grief, offering a unique perspective on balancing public commitments with private sorrow.
