Widow of rugby ace who died after heart attack during match remarries 8 years on

31 July 2023 , 17:54

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Lizzie Jones and Nick Whitehall on their wedding day

A widow whose rugby league star husband suffered a fatal heart attack during a game has married again.

Singer

tied the knot with fitness coach Nick Whitehall, both 38, in a ceremony in Italy, eight years after Wales player Danny Jones’ sudden death.

Mum-of-three Lizzie posted a message saying: “Our special day to remember forever.” With it were photos of a stylish sign which read: “Welcome to the Wedding... Lizzie and Nick” and a stunning floral altar display for the ceremony in Iseo, Lombardy. There were also tender shots of the couple with daughter Bella, aged two, and on the dance floor at the scenic spot in Italy’s lake district. One response to Lizzie’s post and photos read: “You so deserve this after all your heartache.”

In May 2015, Keighley Cougars back Danny, 29, collapsed after coming off early in a match against London Skolars. He was treated at the ground then taken to the Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead, North London, where he died from undiagnosed cardiomyopathy, an inherited condition causing a thickening of the cardiac muscles.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Couple wed in Lombardy

Danny with Lizzie (Western Mail)

Grieving Lizzie, who had twins Phoebe and Bobby, now aged eight, with Danny, then set up the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund. It has raised more than £500,000 for screening checks and life-saving defibrillators at rugby clubs, sport and community facilities. Lizzie, who met Nick in a gym in Halifax, near her home in West Yorkshire, also supports the Mirror’s call for defibrillators in every public building.

Her determined campaigning has led to every player, coach and ­official in rugby league being checked for heart conditions. She said: "I want people to know the charity, we can do screenings at your club, church hall or community centre, we are there to help. We have partnered up with smaller charities in the past, we work together and make as big a difference as we can."

Jeremy Armstrong