Actor Vinnie Jones is reportedly back working on the upcoming celebrity version of the X Factor just days after his wife died.
The former footballer’s wife of 25 years, Tanya, passed away earlier this month aged 53 following a long battle with cancer.
Read more: Louise Redknapp admits she’s ‘definitely’ keen on Celebrity X Factor judging role
According to the Sun, Vinnie, 54, has since returned to filming in Hollywood.
A source quoted by the paper said: “Vinnie had agreed to be part of the show some time ago but that was before he went through the tragedy of losing his wife.
“Obviously most of the team expected a phone call saying he wouldn’t be involved any more.
“But instead he came along and made it clear he wants to throw himself straight into this project.”
Speaking further, the source said producers gave the Celebrity Big Brother star the option of delaying his work on the new show for “as long as he wants”, as it must be “incredibly tough for him right now”.
But the dad-of-two is said to be “keen to plough on”.
ED! has contacted Vinnie’s reps for comment.
A statement released to the Sun earlier this month revealed that Tanya passed away at the Jones’ family home in Los Angeles at 8.46am on July 6.
Vinnie, their daughter and other members of the family were at her bedside when she “passed peacefully”.
The mum-of-two underwent an emergency heart transplant in 1987 following the birth of her daughter Kaley, now 32.
Speaking to the Guardian in 2012, Vinnie said: “We’ve tried to live a normal life, and sometimes if we overdo it we think, ooh, we’ve got to steady up.
“But we don’t wrap her up in cotton wool. We haven’t got time to think about ‘what if’ and ‘what about’.
“We make the most of life. We’ve been through a lot, so I just want her to enjoy life and for us to grow old together.”
The year following, both Vinnie and Tanya were diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Tanya had already faced two battles with cervical cancer.
The X Factor‘s celebrity version will reportedly be on later this year.
It is set to air alongside an all-star edition that features a host of former competitors.
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.