Lioness hero and SPOTY winner Beth Mead reveals heartbreak after her mother dies of ovarian cancer

Lioness hero Beth Mead revealed the heartbreaking news that her mother has died following a ‘long and brave battle’ with ovarian cancer.

June Mead was diagnosed with the illness in 2021 and passed away at 1am on January 7. 

Sports Personality of the Year winner Mead, 27, confirmed the tragedy of her mother’s death this afternoon. 

Speaking in an Instagram post with several family pictures, she said: ‘Thought long and hard about what to write but there will never be any words that will do justice.

Beth Mead (right) confirmed her mother June Mead’s (left) heartbreaking death this afternoon 

The Arsenal forward claimed the Sports Personality of the Year award in December ahead of Ben Stokes and Eve Muirhead

‘At 1am on the 7th of Jan, our beautiful, kind, funny Mum & Wife passed away after a long & brave battle against Ovarian Cancer. 

‘She was surrounded by myself, my brother & dad as she passed away peacefully.

‘Our hearts are broken, there will be a piece missing forever but heaven has now gained a special angel. 

‘If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever. I’m sad that you are gone, but I’m more grateful for the time we had together. 

‘Our family would appreciate some privacy during this difficult time. We love you lots, forever & always. RIP Mama.’ 

Responding to the post, Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth said: ‘Sending love to you all Meado.’ 

Meanwhile, Southampton defender Laura Rafferty replied with a selection of heart emojis.   

Speaking in an Instagram post about her mother with several family pictures, Mead said: ‘Thought long and hard about what to write but there will never be any words that will do justice’ 

Mead claimed both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards for her amazing displays. 

The Arsenal forward went on to claim the Sports Personality of the Year award in December ahead of Ben Stokes and Eve Muirhead. 

After winning the award, Mead said: ‘I’m incredibly honoured to win this award. I wouldn’t have done it without those girls, who backed me.

‘Yes, I did my job and scored a few goals but I wouldn’t have done it without them, my mum, dad and all of my family.

As a lively six year old, Mead’s parents encouraged their daughter to get into football to burn off excess energy

‘This is for women’s sport and for it heading in the right direction. So, let’s keep pushing the girls and keep doing the right things.

‘The girls are like a family away from home and when things at home haven’t been great, they supported me so well.’

Described as a lively six year old, Mead’s parents encouraged their daughter to get into football to burn off excess energy where she played alongside ‘rough’ boys and ‘kicked bits out of them’.   

While Mead said her parents ‘maybe struggled’ when she first told them she was gay, they were highly supportive of her football career with her mother, a higher level teaching assistant, and father Richard taking on extra shifts to pay for petrol and drive her to training.   

Meanwhile, Mead took on a waitressing job and worked double time behind the bar on weekends so that she could earn enough for her first pair of football boots.

Her standout success came just a year after the devastation of being left out of Team GB’s squad for the Olympics in Tokyo, and at the same time of her mother’s battle with ovarian cancer.