25 January 2024 , 22:30
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Jermain Defoe speaks of his special bond with Bradley Lowery and their 'genuine love' in a new film about his life.
The 41-year-old former England star tells of the first time he met the football mascot while playing for Sunderland in September 2016. His life story, ‘Defoe: For the Love of the Game’, features interviews with his former mentor at West Ham Harry Redknapp, England team-mates Peter Crouch and Joe Cole, ex-Carlton boss Alan Curbishley and his devoted mum Sandra.
Defoe says ‘it is not just about football’ as he recounts his time with Bradley, who died aged six from neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer, in July 2017. “With Bradley, the way he looked at me, I have never experienced anything like that before,” he said.
“In football, people want to get close to you and sometimes you have to put your guard up. But with Bradley, all he wanted was to meet me. It was genuine love.”
Bradley’s mum Gemma told how Jermain visited her son in hospital while he was undergoing treatment as they developed a special bond, which remained until her son’s tragic death.
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The documentary highlights Jermain’s 325 career goals, his humble roots in Beckton, east London and 57 England caps but adds: “His relationship with Bradley has come to define him as a player and man, and is perhaps his greatest achievement in the game.”
Defoe’s dad, Jimmy Defoe, died aged just 47 in 2012 after a long battle with throat cancer. His half-brother Jade, 26, died following an assault in Leytonstone, London in 2009.
Director James Ross said: “As a Spurs fan, working with a legend like Jermain was a dream come true. But though I knew his goals on the pitch, I never expected that by asking him to trace his roots and his career, it would reveal such a complex tale of love, loss, trauma and redemption off the pitch.”
Bradley Lowery hugs his hero Jermain Defoe (Rex Features)Of his colourful love life, Defoe says: “I was young and successful, and I was single.” Bradley’s parents Gemma, 40, and husband Carl, 40, of Blackhall Colliery, Co Durham, have stayed in touch with Jermain. They welcomed their daughter, Gracie-Mae, into the world in November 2021 with a message of thanks to nurses.
‘Defoe’ is described as a ‘raw and honest account of a man with an undisputed talent who has managed to shine on the field while dealing with unbelievable heartache and pain’. The player tells his audience: “There is more to life than kicking a ball’.
* Defoe will be in UK Cinemas for One Night Only on Feb 29. Tickets are available at https://defoethefilm.co.uk/