Rio Ferdinand in heartbreaking tribute to 'little fighter' mother who died from cancer

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Rio Ferdinand has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his “little fighter” mother, who died of cancer less than two years after he lost his wife to the same disease.

Janice St Fort, 58, died in London Bridge hospital on Thursday following a battle with cancer, with the former Manchester United star paying tribute to her for giving “all of her life” to him.

Mr Ferdinand posted a photo of himself wearing a Manchester United tracksuit alongside his mother holding a Premier League winners medal on Instagram on Saturday.

He lost his wife Rebecca to the disease two years ago.

Mummy It won’t ever be enough but I just want to say thanks, a really big thank you. The ability you had to make me feel loved at every moment in my life without even having to say it or be there by my side will never be forgotten. You were a fighter, a little fighter but with a huge heart. And you wore that heart on your sleeve throughout. All I ever wanted in life from as young as I can remember was to make you proud and I know I must of got somewhere near to doing that…. because your chest was puffed out as big as anyone’s whenever my name was mentioned or when you was in a stadium watching me play… I can just hear/see you now “what did you say, oh ok…that’s my son…”!!! You were fiery, you were protective, you was soft & hard faced when need be… you loved hard, you disciplined me, you were a grafter & you were my everything. I sit here now thinking & the only negative I can think of is that you talked for too long on the phone!! You gave all of your life to make sure everything was ok for myself, my brothers, sister, your grandchildren & husband Peter (never mind the countless friends & family too). At my most difficult time, you were my shining light & made it your mission to be there for me & my kids… trust me that will never forgotten. From school runs to homework to making them smile… to starting horse riding lessons….they will always remember. You are the most selfless & giving person I have ever known which came from a genuine place of love. The way you have touched so many people’s hearts will live on and will be the way many will remember you mum. You were an inspirational person in so many ways, one day I will be able to tell you them all face to face. Love you mummy Rio x

A post shared by Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) on Jul 15, 2017 at 1:30am PDT

Mr Ferdinand posted on Instagram: “It won’t ever be enough but I just want to say thanks, a really big thank you.

“The ability you had to make me feel loved at every moment in my life without even having to say it or be there by my side will never be forgotten.

“You were a fighter, a little fighter but with a huge heart. And you wore that heart on your sleeve throughout.

“All I ever wanted in life from as young as I can remember was to make you proud and I know I must of got somewhere near to doing that, because your chest was puffed out as big as anyone’s whenever my name was mentioned or when you were in a stadium watching me play.”

He added: “The way you have touched so many people’s hearts will live on and will be the way many will remember you mum.

“You were an inspirational person in so many ways, one day I will be able to tell you them all face to face.”

The former England captain, 38, was left devastated by the death of his wife Rebecca Ellison in 2015.

He filmed a moving BBC documentary titled ‘Being mum and dad’ in which he opened up on his struggle to move on from the loss and be a role model for their children.

The defender was born and raised by his mother in Peckham, south London.

In an emotional interview, he revealed that the ‘hardest point’ after losing his wife was having to tell his three children that they’d never see their mum again.

The former footballer, 38, says that he was ‘thrown’ into a single parenting role.

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