Rebecca Ellison dies: Rio Ferdinand issues statement to announce tragic death of his wife as Steven Gerrard presents flowers to Joey Barton

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The Queens Park Rangers squad will wear black armbands for their Premier League encounter against Liverpool on Saturday after the tragic news that defender Rio Ferdinand’s wife, Rebecca Ellison, has died.

35-year-old Ellison had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and after a short-term illness, Ferdinand issued a statement through QPR’s official club website to confirm the sad news that she had passed away at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

A number of tributes were paid to the former England captain, who joined QPR at the start of the season after leaving Manchester United, with his team-mates, fellow professional footballers and fans all sending messages support at a difficult time.

Before QPR's Premier League match against Liverpool kicked off, former England captain Steven Gerrard presented a bouquet of flowers to QPR skipper and Ferdinand's teammate Joey Barton on behalf of the Anfield outfit.

Gary Lineker took to Twitter to express his sorrow at hearing of Ellison's death, and was joined in sending his thoughts to Ferdinand and his family by a number of his current teammates, which included Barton, as well as players from other clubs.

Ferdinand issued a statement to announce the news on Saturday morning, and he will not take part in the match.

The couple married in 2009 in a private ceremony in the Caribbean, and have three children together aged nine, six, and four.