Vinnie Jones thanks fans for \'kind thoughts\' after death of wife | Entertainment

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Vinnie Jones has thanked fans for their support following the death of his wife Tanya last month.

The 54-year-old actor - who first found fame as a soccer player in the UK - was by his wife's side when she passed away in Los Angeles in July following a lengthy battle with cancer and Vinnie has taken to Twitter to thank fans for their "kind thoughts and words" as he deals with his grief.

He tweeted: "THANKYOU to each and every one of you for your kind thoughts and kind words through this devastating time you have all helped us enormously with this heavy grief, Vinnie (sic)."

Vinnie announced Tanya's death in a statement issued by his management last month.

The statement said: "At 8.46am local time in Los Angeles on Saturday July 6, Vinnie Jones's wife, Tanya Jones, passed away after a long illness.

"Tanya passed peacefully at the Jones family home surrounded by Vinnie, their daughter and other family members.

"Vinnie and the family ask for privacy while they go through an understandable period of mourning during this devastating time."

The couple married in 1994, when Vinnie was at the peak of his sporting career.

Tanya had been ill for quite some time before her passing, having previously fought a number of other illnesses.

At the age of 21, she underwent an emergency heart transplant, whilst she's also been treated for cervical cancer twice.

In 2013, Tanya and Vinnie were both diagnosed with melanoma, before being given the all-clear by doctors two years later.

Vinnie subsequently admitted to being inspired by his wife's show of strength and courage.

The actor - who has appeared in hits such as 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' and 'Snatch' - said: "When it comes to things like this, women are stronger.

"Suddenly I've gone from the one helping her to the one that needs support.

"I take my strength from Tanya. She believes her life was saved to save me, and in return I feel it is my role to look after her."

This article originally ran on celebretainment.com.