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Jonathan Walters Breaks Down In Tears Speaking About The Tragic Loss Of His Mother

Jonathan Walters Breaks Down In Tears Speaking About The Tragic Loss Of His Mother

"I remember getting told, probably a week before, by my dad,"

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Burnley and Republic of Ireland striker Jonathan Walters has spoken about the death of his mother in an incredibly emotional interview.

Walters revealed that his mother passed away from cancer when he was just 11-years-old.

He spoke to the BBC's Tony Livesey, who lost his own mother when he was 13.

"You know, just a little while ago I wouldn't have spoken about this to anyone, and I mean anyone, not even my wife." Walters told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I lock it away. That's how I deal with it. And I did from the day she passed away.

"I remember getting told, probably a week before, by my dad. He just pulled us into a room and said 'look, your mum's not going to be around for much longer'.

"I took myself off and I probably would have cried for about six hours, seven hours. But I don't think I ever grieved for her.

"I was upset, I was very very upset for a long time, and every time it was brought up later I'd get upset again. But I don't think I grieved... I just got on with it.

"I remember I went to school the day after she died, and my mates were like 'are you alright?', and you pretend that you are".

"I was Year Six at the time, so you are one of the big boys in school, so you put on a show, and I think from that point you put up a wall, and it is still there."

Walters then broke down in tears as he told the story of how his mother passed away.

"I've got kids the same age as I was," he said.

"You worry for your kids now. You worry for your kids and how they're going to grow up and what they're going to deal with in their lives so yeah, how do you deal with it?"

"I lock it away," he said. "That's how I deal with it, I lock it away. I probably did from the day she passed away.

"When you are younger you want to do eveything to make your mum proud, or your parents proud.

"That's what I did when I was younger. Everything I did I did for my mum.

"That's why when I was 16 or 17 and was going to become a footballer I wanted to play for Ireland, because my mum was Irish."

An incredibly emotional and inspirational interview from the 34-year-old. Fair play for opening up.

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Topics: Football News, Football, Burnley