Former Leeds United star to discuss wife's death for documentary

In 2015, Ferdinand’s wife, Rebecca, died aged 34 after a battle with breast cancer.

The father-of-three will front the 60-minute BBC documentary as he tries to understand how widowed parents manage grief and support their children.

Ferdinand opens up about his loss, saying: “I don’t think I’ve grieved properly.”

He adds: “I’ve not given myself that time to sit down and really flush everything out and go through it.”

The former England captain will discover the only way parents can help their children move on is by rebuilding their own lives first.

The film also offers a broader insight into how young husbands and fathers cope with grief and finds around 75 men under 50 become widowers every day in the UK.

Alison Kirkham, controller of factual commissioning and events, said: “Rio Ferdinand has courageously allowed the cameras to follow him in this revealing and immensely personal documentary exploring the complexities of grief.

“This candid film will offer BBC One audiences an intimate exploration of the ways in which men similarly bereaved cope with their loss.”

Ferdinand joined Leeds United from West Ham United in November 2000 for £18 million. He went on to play 73 times for the Whites scoring three goals.

* Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum And Dad will be shown on BBC One this spring.