Rio Ferdinand’s moving speech after winning BAFTA for Best Documentary

A few tears were shed

Rio Ferdinand won the BAFTA for Single Documentary tonight, in recognition of 'Being Mum and Dad', the TV documentary that he starred in after the death of his wife, Rebecca Ellison, back in 2015. The documentary explored the difficulty Ferdinand and his children faced with coming to terms with the loss of Rebecca, and the need to talk through the mix of emotions one goes through when grieving. Upon receiving the award, Ferdinand said:

"I’m normally quite used to picking up trophies – but I’m not used to talking after. "All of the nans, granddads, middle-aged people... they come up to me in the streets. They don't want to talk about football. "And that means we've done a good job."

Ferdinand was a rock solid defender back in his playing days, but this documentary showed the more fragile side to him, for which he deserves immense credit.

"The documentary was a snapshot of that time of sadness. "And I’m just pleased to say that it has played a part of propelling me forward into a period of happiness in my life where my kids are very happy. “We’re making steps in the right direction.”