Ian Wright fights back tears as he opens up on the death of his brother and former teammate

Ian Wright fights back tears as he opens up on the tragic death of his brother Maurice and former teammate Kevin Campbell this summer.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, Ian Wright, 60, revealed that his brother passed away around the same time.

He spoke of his sadness over the recent deaths of two people so close to him, Campbell, who died in June aged 53 due to multi-organ failure caused by a heart infection, after spending a month in hospital before his death, while his brother also passed away.

We’re all with you Wrighty ❤️❤️

⁦@IanWright0⁩ pic.twitter.com/NqaRrK7Qvq

— The N5 History (@TheN5News) August 15, 2024

Wrighty said: “It’s been a tough summer. Obviously my man Kevin, Kevin Campbell, and then a couple of weeks later I lose my brother. But it’s been one of those situations where you just have to get on with it, man.

“It catches you every now and then.

“I’m driving along and I’m thinking of my brother. He was a really good cricketer, a really good footballer.

“He didn’t come up to the house as often as [I’d] like but that’s because he’s just a loner.

“And then all of a sudden you’re constantly trying to get in touch with him, come and do this, come and do that, and then bam, he’s gone. You know what I mean?

“I’m going to Kevin’s [funeral] tomorrow [Wednesday 14th August], then my brother’s on the 30th. It’s tough, man. Like now I feel pretty much in control of it, but I know that at some stage later on, it just catches you, but you just have to deal with it, man. It’s been a tough summer, man.

Jill Scott asked: “Do you find, like, keeping working helps or do you feel like you need some time to…”

Ian replied: No, no, no. Helping and being amongst people, especially. Grieving’s a process, isn’t it? You don’t know when it’s going to come. It’s not like it ever leaves you, you know what I mean? It’s going to come at some stage, but it’s the way it is.”

Till we meet again my friend 💙🙏 pic.twitter.com/xAWXgXOpke

— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) August 14, 2024

Una numerosa delegación del Everton ha asistido hoy en Londres al emotivo funeral de Kevin Campbell.

Super Kev. Único. 💙pic.twitter.com/AfXPU1dCXN

— Everton (@EvertonESP) August 14, 2024

He joined the likes of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Roy Keane ahead of the new Premier League season.

You can watch…
00:00: Behind the Scenes
08:38: Promo
09:39: Roy Keane’s birthday cake
23:27: Olympic Games Paris 2024
28:06: Ian Wright opens up on tragic deaths
29:50: Premier League preview
01:01:19: 2024/25 Premier League predictions
01:09:29: Super 6
01:18:40: Community Question

Everton paid tribute to Kevin Campbell on the day of his funeral: “A strong Everton delegation were in London today to attend a moving funeral service for Kevin Campbell.

“Super Kev passed away in June at the far too early age of 54.

“Tributes were paid and readings delivered at an emotional two-hour service at Brixton Seventh Day Adventist Church, followed by committal at Streatham Park Cemetery.

“Kevin’s former Everton teammates Francis Jeffers, Don Hutchison, Tomasz Radzinski, Anders Limpar and Mark Pembridge were joined at the service by Everton ambassador Graham Stuart, former striker Marcus Bent, former Arsenal and Everton defender Martin Keown, the Club’s Director of Communications and Engagement Scott McLeod and Broadcast and Liaison Manager Darren Griffiths.

“Kevin’s former Arsenal teammates Paul Merson, Perry Groves, Ian Wright, Ray Parlour, Tony Adams, Andrew Cole, Paul Davis, Chris Kiwomya, Jimmy Carter and Gus Caesar were also present, while rivals from across North London, Les Ferdinand and Chris Hughton, were amongst the congregation.

“Family tributes were paid by Kevin’s Grandmother Sylvia Gordon, his cousin Mark Gordon, Aunty Marjorie Douse and cousin Marva Douse.

“His sister AnnMarie Campbell read from Revelation Chapter 21 while sons Tyrese and Kyle read movingly from the Book of John.

“Tributes were paid by friends John Simmonds, Gary King, Paul Davis and Anthony Jordan.

“Following consultation with Kevin’s family and at their request, Everton’s formal tribute to Super Kev will take place before our game against Bournemouth on 31 August when they will be in attendance at Goodison Park.”

Twitter users paid respect as Ian Wright fights back tears as he opens up on the death of his brother and former teammate…

@HLTCO: I love the Overlap for all sorts of reasons but I think the biggest one is how open and honest they all are with each other every week. This is such a raw and emotional thing for Ian Wright to talk about, let alone on camera. It shows how much they all get on. All power to him.

@Stemaca1878: Grieving is a beast, i lost my mum 10 years ago this month ,i was ok on the day, but the other day, it hit me hard while i was driving out of the blue, seeing other people go through it openly like this makes you realise how much people carry with them

@Nom_Dahl_Warren: Jill’s follow up question is good too – allows him to touch on an important part of the grieving process: that you’ll want to get on & try to keep going as normal, though at times that’s not possible – but as Wrighty says being around people is key.

@cashleslie940: Wow, I feel for the lad. We all have our own experiences of similar but to hear it in such an honest and open way really cuts you. The lad is in my prayers 🙏

@Garethrobbo: Very true words by Ian, it’s nice to see such openness & vulnerability talking about it. Grieving never leaves you, I still grieve for my mum nearly 20yrs on but it’s more of a normal day to day feeling now, something I barely know a time before it. Well done Ian and sending love

@rossmarno: 100% agree. It’s what makes the content so consistently great. Folk who care about each other’s opinions, obviously, but it’s clear they actually like each other and look out for each other. I never expected that level of “real” from them, but it’s a consistent theme.