BBC One viewers have praised Rio Ferdinand for his “heartbreaking and inspiring” documentary about losing his wife.
The former Manchester United footballer lost his 34-year-old wife, Rebecca, to breast cancer in May 2015. His documentary about adjusting to life without her and bringing up their three children alone, Being Mum And Dad, aired on BBC One last night (March 29).
My documentary Being Mum and Dad will be on @BBCOne tonight at 9pm… Thanks for all your messages & unconditional support! pic.twitter.com/UJA7Qi2Re9
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 28, 2017
In the documentary, Ferdinand explained how he broke news of his wife’s death to their children, who were just nine, seven and four years old at the time.
He also recalled starting a ‘memory jar’ to help the family remember their mum in a positive way. “It kind of opened everything up and it was a beautiful moment just seeing them talk happily and being joyful about their mum rather than it being sad and negative moments,” he said.
He also said he could empathise with people who experience suicidal thoughts after losing a love one, but said that raising their children had given him the strength to go on.
Check out a selection of reactions to the moving documentary below.
Rio Ferdinand had me bawling my eyes out. What a brave and beautiful programme.
— Your favourite teacher (@lashingsoflove) March 28, 2017
Heartbreaking & inspiring in equal measure. Utmost respect to #RioFerdinand ? pic.twitter.com/HpUCW93Tvg
— Adrian Bentley (@AdrianBentley) March 28, 2017
Totally moved, very deep documentary, I think Rio may have just helped more people than he realises ? #RioFerdinand #BeingMumAndDad
— Michelle Stephenson (@michyone) March 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/courtneyhoare2/status/846816288139808768
I just feel like I want to go through the tv and give @rioferdy5 a hug. ? #BeingMumAndDad #RioFerdinand
— Prossy (@Pkakooza) March 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/abbyfent/status/847061059034890241
https://twitter.com/_aliengirl/status/846406122223349761
Rio Ferdinand Mum and Dad :'( It was just beautiful. Really upsetting but uplifting too
— Ben Lettman (@lettman_) March 28, 2017
Ferdinand’s documentary, Being Mum And Dad, is currently available to watch online via BBC iPlayer.