Kate Ferdinand pays tribute to husband Rio's late mother Janice on her birthday

Kate Ferdinand paid tribute to husband Rio’s late mother Janice on her birthday on Tuesday. 

The former TOWIE star, 28, took to Instagram to share a childhood snap of the footballer and his mother to mark the occasion. 

Kate, who was also sending wishes for her father’s 60th birthday, wrote: ‘Happy Birthday to one of our special angels’, alongside a heart emoji. 

‘Our special angel’: Kate Ferdinand paid tribute to husband Rio’s late mother Janice on her birthday on Tuesday

The photo showed a young Rio and his mother sitting next to each other at what appeared to be a restaurant. 

Janice St Forth passed away at the age of 58 after losing her battle to breast cancer in July 2017.   

Rio penned the distressing time in his biography, Thinking Out Loud: Love, Grief and Being Mum and Dad.

Moving: Kate wrote: ‘Happy Birthday to one of our special angels’, alongside a heart emoji

The footballer admitted it was his beloved mother who helped him get through the tragedy of losing his wife Rebecca two years prior.

Rio stated he felt like an ‘eight-year old boy and his coping mechanism was in denial.’ 

The footballer wrote: ‘I’m not proud to admit that for the first few days I could not bring myself to visit Mum in hospital,’ before revealing that it was because he couldn’t bare the thought of sitting in ‘another oncology ward and breathing in that same antiseptic smell. 

Before she tragically passed, Rio recalled: ‘In my head all I could hear were my frantic pleas for a divine reprieve. “Please, no, not my mum. Anyone but Mum.” She was the only reason I survived losing Rebecca. 

Always remembered: Rio shared a collage on Mother’s Day of his late wife Rebecca (top) with their three children, Kate (left) hugging Tia and Tate and of his mother (right)

A statement issued by Rio and the family at the time nodded to Mrs St Fort’s role in helping the former footballer through the loss of his wife, saying: ‘Our mum was the centre and the heart of our family and has supported us all through many difficult times, always with a smile on her face.’ 

His mother featured in his documentary BBC’s Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad and provided strength for Rio who struggled bravely with the responsibility of raising his children without their mother being around. 

Earlier this month, Kate admitted she’s felt ‘really uneasy and overwhelmed’ while struggling to follow ‘a routine’ as she isolates with her footballer husband, 41, and her stepchildren Lorenz, 13, Tate, 11, and Tia, eight.

Devastated: The footballer admitted it was his beloved mother who helped him get through the tragedy of losing his wife Rebecca  (pictured in 2009) two years prior

In an Instagram Q&A shared on Wednesday, the former TOWIE star said she likes to make ‘small goals to help me stay focused’ and credits exercise and daily walks for lifting her spirits.

When asked for tips on dealing with anxiety, the media personality detailed the ups and downs of staying at home, before revealing maintaining her workout regime has helped her feel ‘happy and chilled’. 

The TV star shared: ‘Most importantly, I hope you’re ok. Honestly, I have generally been feeling quite good but I have had some bad days where I have been feeling really really uneasy and overwhelmed. 

‘I struggle if I don’t have routine, I’m quite good at recognising what I struggle with so I have tried my best to sort some kind of routine to stay on track & have small goals – even if a goal is cleaning the kitchen. 

‘The small goals help me stay focused and my mind busy. Saying that, I’m also trying not to be to hard on myself if I am struggling. Tomorrow we have decided to have a rest day, relax, try not to do many chores and jobs and I am telling myself THATS OK!’

‘I love the children so much!’ The blonde was recently quizzed about her role as a step-mother