Yahoo News Rio Ferdinand's BBC documentary breaks all our hearts
There wasn't a dry eye in Britain tonight as the BBC aired Rio Ferdinand's much-anticipated documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad.
The former footballer lost his wife Rebecca to cancer in 2015, leaving him a widow with three children to raise.
The documentary was trending on Twitter even before it aired, after Rio appeared on This Morning to promote the programme earlier today, with Piers Morgan tweeting his praise of the programme after watching a preview yesterday.
Just watched @rioferdy5 doc #BeingMumAndDad.
So moving.
Made me cry. You will, too.
BBC1, 9pm tomorrow.https://t.co/0mkVYLy4Ux- Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 27, 2017
The one-off special charted Rio's journey as he began to garner advice about loss, grief and moving on.
Speaking to a cancer specialist, a number of male widowers at The Gentlemen's Room group as well as bereavement group Jigsaw, Rio was told he needed to mourn after acknowledging that he hadn't quite grieved Rebecca's death himself yet.
In highly emotional scenes, Rio admitted that while he didn't consider suicide, he did finally understand why other people felt like that was an option.
Nonetheless, while the nation worried for Rio, he was mostly concerned about his children and how Rebecca's death would affect them.
"I worry about all of them because I can't get nothing out of the two boys especially," he said.
"I want something to help them to help talk to know they're actually alright, because I don't know.
"I want to find some other way where they can express themselves a bit more."
As the documentary progressed, Rio began to open up about Rebecca with his kids, remembering the good times and positive memories about their mum.
This hit me hard 😰😭 #BeingMumAndDad pic.twitter.com/ycDwIe8CKV
- Jasmin Stork (@JasminStork) March 27, 2017
"I love my wife more than anything," Rio said.
"Me and Rebecca, we had an unbelievable relationship."
It was one of the most emotional documentaries we've watched to date, but here's how those on Twitter reacted.
A lot of viewers were bowled over by Rio's courage:
So much respect for Rio 🙏🏼 #BeingMumAndDad #RioFerdinand
- COURTNEY (@BanksCourtney) March 28, 2017
@rioferdy5 ur an inspiration massive respect #BeingMumAndDad
- Dizzy Gina (@GinaRich25) March 28, 2017
Really touching documentary on BBC One right now about @rioferdy5. So much respect for this man #BeingMumAndDad
- Rob (@BetOnFights) March 28, 2017
It takes a lot of courage and spirit to open up about your lowest points.Massive respect to @rioferdy5 for showing awareness #BeingMumAndDad
- Roman Road (@RomanRoadMusic) March 28, 2017
#BeingMumAndDad i have the upmost respect for Rio opening up on such a hard subject
- Josie Newall (@JosieNewallUOC) March 28, 2017
So much respect for @rioferdy5 using his celebrity platform to talk about important issues and showing it's okay to talk ❤ #BeingMumAndDad
- Siân Carroll (@siancarroll_) March 28, 2017
So much respect for @rioferdy5 #BeingMumAndDad what a legend!!
- Nathan jones (@nathanoj7) March 28, 2017
It takes a huge amount of courage and strength for anyone to admit they're struggling. Not to be sniffed at. #BeingMumAndDad
- Pseudonym (@fancehpanteh) March 28, 2017
This a truly honest and touching portrayal of effects of grief. Massive amount of respect to @rioferdy5 & others involved #BeingMumAndDad
- Lee Radford (@akradders) March 28, 2017
What a heartbreaking yet moving documentary @rioferdy5 your doing a great job with your children #BeingMumAndDad
- C H A R ☠️🖖🏼🦋 (@CharRJarman) March 28, 2017
While a lot of people just bawled:
This is heartbreaking 💔 😢 it doesn't matter how much money you have, cancer affects us all. Life can be so cruel. #BeingMumAndDad
- Jude 👑 (@Ginger_Princess) March 28, 2017
i am crying so hard
those men are so amazing #BeingMumAndDad- michaela (@eyewobi) March 28, 2017
this is actually breaking me #BeingMumAndDad
- bellie (@ElliexCrisp) March 28, 2017
Rio Ferdinand programme is a heartbreaking watch 💔 #BeingMumAndDad
- Lauren (@laurenjack3) March 28, 2017
My heart is absolutely breaking for Rio. I can't even imagine what experiencing pain like that is like, life is so cruel!!💔#BeingMumAndDad
- Shauna (@Shauna_Wheels) March 28, 2017
Rio's fellow celebrities also poured in their support:
Such brave honesty from @rioferdy5 #BeingMumAndDad
- Helen Glover (@Helenglovergb) March 28, 2017
My heart is breaking @rioferdy5 #BeingMumAndDad I'm literally sobbing! I want to turn off but how selfish...... So sad!!
- Nicola McLean (@NicolaMcLean) March 28, 2017
While others praised Rio for getting his message out there, with Macmillan Cancer support leading the way:
Watching #BeingMumAndDad? If you know someone who's been through similar, remember just being there can make a world of difference 💚
- Macmillan Cancer (@macmillancancer) March 28, 2017
#BeingMumAndDad is an emotional watch but is SO important to show how we all need to talk and share. Men,women,children all need support
- Claire Burgess (@Belles28) March 28, 2017
"Men are half as likely to talk to a counsellor as women"#BeingMumAndDad
- William Thompson (@iamaboutyoucom) March 28, 2017
I encourage people to watch @rioferdy5 show. Important message that it's okay to talk, vital to talk #BeingMumAndDad
- Tom Wallin (@Wallin58) March 28, 2017
So sad but good on @rioferdy5 using his platform to talk about important issues & show that it's ok for men to not be ok! 💙 #BeingMumAndDad
- Marnie Kent (@MarniexK) March 28, 2017
#BeingMumAndDad It's ok for a man to cry, we all need emotional support every now and then, we can't do it all ourselves. Respect to Rio
- Michael Lee (@MikeyLee1987) March 28, 2017
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