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'Words can't describe': Footballer rocked by tragic death of wife, 33

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·3-min read
Jamie Barrett wife Leanne, pictured here before her tragic death.
Jamie Barrett has paid tribute to wife Leanne, who died at age 33. Images: Twitter/Facebook

Footballer Jamie Barrett has paid a moving tribute to late wife Leanne, who died earlier this month at the age of 33.

Leanne died after a two-year battle with lung cancer, which was diagnosed while she was pregnant with their second child.

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The captain of Gresley Football Club in the UK says he is “so proud of the woman I married”.

“It was a rollercoaster especially towards the end. You never quite realise how devastating cancer is until it happens to someone you love,” he told Derbyshire Live.

“I just want everyone to know how proud I was of the woman I married.”

The couple married in 2016 and had two children together - a girl India-Lily, 6, and boy Beau, 1.

Leanne’s cancer was diagnosed shortly after she fell pregnant with Beau.

“When she walked in the room she would start up the conversation and she was chatty, bubbly, outgoing, obviously beautiful but very caring as well,” Barrett explained.

“She loved her family, she liked fitness and was always a member of the gym and she liked spending money, mainly on handbags and shoes. She was just a fun, happy person.”

Barrett pays tribute to pregnant wife’s strength

Barrett paid tribute to Leanne’s strength during her pregnancy.

“Being pregnant when she was diagnosed was a double blow but she protected our son for as long as she could, even though she was in pain,” he said.

“It was hard for us dealing with the diagnosis and having a newborn. We didn’t know if he would survive but she was always trying to be positive for our little girl.

“The last 18 months were horrendous. The only thing that kept us going was our children.”

Barrett’s announcement has sparked an outpouring of support on social media.

“It’s with a broken heart that I need to announce that my gorgeous Wife - Leanne Barrett sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning with her family around her,” he posted.

“Words can’t describe RIP Love you always Jamie , India Lily and Beau.”