After Losing Wife, ‘X Factor’ Contestant Makes A Powerful Promise To Honor Her
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Actor and former footballer Vinnie Jones will appear on the live shows of The X Factor: Celebrity, following his wife’s death earlier this year. He recently made a promise on Twitter regarding how he will use whatever money he might earn from the show.
Auditions for the celebrity version of the UK series recently aired. Vinnie had to miss them, as his wife Tanya had passed away just days before filming. According to The Sun, Tanya had beaten two cases of cervical cancer before being diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
Vinnie Jones Promises To Donate ‘X Factor’ Money
On Tuesday, X Factor tweeted his intention to donate any money he may receive from winning the show to Harefield hospital and Cedars Sinai. The Sun reports that these were the hospitals that treated Tanya during her illness.
The prize for winning The X Factor: Celebrity is reportedly a record deal with Simon’s company Syco. The winner will be decided by public vote. Vinnie’s offer is incredibly generous, and a beautiful tribute to his late wife.
Simon Cowell Offers Vinnie A Spot In The Live Shows
Even though Vinnie was unable to participate in the auditions, judge Simon Cowell decided to offer him a spot in the live shows anyway. At the end of the season’s second episode, Simon could be seen calling Vinnie to make the offer.
“We’d love you to be on the live shows this year, we’d welcome you and give you all the help you need,” Simon told him over the phone.
Vinnie said he would be “honored” to join the show, as his wife would have wanted. He told Simon that Tanya “pushed me” and “was very excited about it.” The live shows will kick off this Saturday on ITV.
Interestingly, Vinnie isn’t the only contestant to be invited back to the show. The judges changed their minds about quizmaster Jenny Ryan after eliminating her in the auditions. She will now perform in the live shows. It’s apparently all about second chances this season.
