Vinnie Jones believes he had a supernatural visit from late wife Tanya

Vinnie Jones has told of the experience that made him believe his late wife Tanya had visited him on the night she died.

Tanya Jones died on July 6 last year at the age of 53, after a six-year battle with three forms of cancer.

She had first been diagnosed in 2013.

Vinnie kissed her on the head and whispered, “I love you, I love you” as she slipped away.

The former footballer and actor has told of an experience which he still can’t fully explain, seeing a lingering light over their Los Angeles house on the night she died.

“The night Tans died we were all sitting outside in the back garden… it was around midnight, a still, overcast night, no moonlight.

“One by one, people were heading inside to bed, and I told them I’d be in in a little while. I wanted to smoke and watch the darkness and be alone.

“As I sat there, I noticed above me a white light. I knew it couldn’t be a star because of the cloud cover, but there it was – a simple white light above me.

“I already knew that when you lose someone you can start to look for things, for signs, so I was on guard. I never believed in any of that stuff and I wasn’t about to start now.

“But that white light was there, and there was no denying it. It ­definitely wasn’t a star and it wasn’t a helicopter, or a plane, it was too low.

“I don’t know why, but in my grief and desperation I said to the light, ‘Is that you, babe?’

“The light shone above me; it didn’t waver, or change. Was it Tans? There was only one way to find out.

“I thought about all the times she’d say, ‘Where’s my kiss?’ and I’d throw her one to catch.

“So that’s what I did, right there in that dark ­garden – I threw one last kiss up to the white light above me.

“Suddenly, the light swerved, and dipped, and hovered, and then it flew – zoom! – it flew and swerved and then it disappeared away from me in that garden, and left me, once again alone.”

He added: “I’ve since checked and re-checked the weather forecast for that night and it was overcast in Los Angeles… the sun didn’t ­appear until noon the next day.”

In his new book, Lost Without You: Loving and Losing Tanya, Vinnie gives a heartfelt and honest account of his grief.

If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operates a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] if you’d prefer to write down how you feel. You are not alone.