Footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones put on a loved up display with his new girlfriend Emma Ford as she supported him as the debut of his Only Fools and Horses musical
Actor Vinnie Jones has stepped out with the support of his new girlfriend Emma Ford in their first public appearance together.
The former footballer, 59, beamed as he was joined by actress Emma at the launch of his latest project. He is making his West End debut of Only Fools and Horses at the Eventim Apollo. Vinnie wrapped his arm around Emma, who he met in 2022 after hiring her to be his personal assistant, as she held a hand on his chest.
The loved up couple wore matching outfits as Vinnie went for an all black look with Emma in a velvet black suit and red top. Vinnie recently shared how Emma pledged to “look after him” in honour of his wife Tanya, who tragically passed away from cancer in 2019, aged 53. Vinnie had married Tanya in 1994 but she was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2013 which then spread to her brain.
The sports star, who has made a career in Hollywood movies since retiring from football, found love with script consultant and actress Emma while filming his TV series, Vinnie Jones in The Country. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Vinnie said about Emma: “She said to me that she had had a chat with Tanz and said, ‘I’m going to look after him for you’. That was kind of a defining moment for me. I’m at peace because does she want you to be on your own? No, because you’re not going to be happy.”
Vinnie and Tanya met when they were 12-years-old, watching a cricket match in their hometown Watford. The star once credited Tanya with “saving him” and said about his late wife: “I take my strength from Tanya. She has given me stability and it is my responsibility to be there for her. She’s the most incredible person. We’re the perfect match and I was lucky to find her.”
Vinnie has spoken about whether there would be wedding bells with Emma as their relationship develops. He told the Daily Mail: “I’d never say never again! I ain’t got a crystal ball. If the game’s going well and you’re winning one-nil, don’t make any substitutions. Keep it as it is, keep it cool.”
The footballer-turned-actor will play mob boss Danny Driscoll in the 28-show run of Only Fools and Horses: The Musical that started on December 17. It is inspired by the legendary BBC series, which starred Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst as the market-savvy Trotter brothers.
Speaking of his role, Vinnie said: “I’ve always been a fan of Only Fools And Horses, and when my longtime friend, (the promoter) Phil McIntyre called me up and said he was interested in me playing the role of Danny Driscoll, I told him to count me in.” 2024 has been a busy year for Vinnie as he also starred in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen and had his Discovery + faming show renewed for a second series.
Earlier this year, he opened up to GQ about his love of gardening amid his grief. He said: “What I’ve learned is that grief doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom – grief can be lovely memories. The only way I can move forward is to be positive. Yes, you do have little waves that come over you sometimes. But like a dog coming out of the river, you shake it off and run off to chase the ball again.”
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