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RIO LOOKING GRANDE

Rio Ferdinand shows off buff physique from gruelling training regime that helped him cope with tragic loss of wife Rebecca

RIO FERDINAND has revealed how a gruelling training regime helped him cope with the tragic death of wife Rebecca.

The ex-Manchester United star, 38, has been showing off his incredible buff physique, after news emerged that he has been dating Towie star Kate Wright.

 Rio Ferdinand shows off his buff chest and arms in a recent Men's Health photoshoot
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Rio Ferdinand shows off his buff chest and arms in a recent Men's Health photoshootCredit: Men’s Health / David Clerihew
 Rio Ferdinand shows he's still got it in Men's Health magazine
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Rio Ferdinand shows he's still got it in Men's Health magazineCredit: Men’s Health / David Clerihew

Former England ace Ferdinand has been working out since he retired from football following his brief stint at Queens Park Rangers in 2014-15.

He has regularly posted fitness videos on Instagram from his home, and has slowly gone from the familiar lithe football star to a jacked muscle-bound Adonis.

Between daddy duties, including taking his kids Lorenz, Tate and Tia to school, he has been doing intense sessions.

Ferdinand's gruelling training regime can include doing handstand press-ups, sparring with his personal trainer Mel Deane and arm wrestling on all fours.

As well as doing high-intensity exercises, Ferdinand also does some heavy weight lifting with dumbbells and weighted bars.

He told Men’s Health magazine: “It enabled me to free my mind. You’ve got to remember, when I played football, when I’d step on to the pitch, there was nothing I thought about but football.

 Rio Ferdinand often works out at home in his personalised gym and in his garden
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Rio Ferdinand often works out at home in his personalised gym and in his gardenCredit: Instagram/@rioferdy5
 Rio Ferdinand takes off his shirt to reveal his buff torso
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Rio Ferdinand takes off his shirt to reveal his buff torsoCredit: Instagram/@rioferdy5
 Rio Ferdinand takes a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo in Cardiff before the Real Madrid star scored two in the Champions League final
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Rio Ferdinand takes a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo in Cardiff before the Real Madrid star scored two in the Champions League finalCredit: Instagram/@rioferdy5
 Rio Ferdinand posted this picture to Instagram as he quipped he had the same number of abs as his famous shirt No5
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Rio Ferdinand posted this picture to Instagram as he quipped he had the same number of abs as his famous shirt No5Credit: Instagram/@rioferdy5
 Rio Ferdinand was never so muscle-bound in his playing days - highlighting the incredible transformation he has made
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Rio Ferdinand was never so muscle-bound in his playing days - highlighting the incredible transformation he has madeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Rio Ferdinand and Kate Wright have been spotted together for the first time
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Rio Ferdinand and Kate Wright have been spotted together for the first timeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Rio Ferdinand regularly posts dieting tips on his Instagram page
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Rio Ferdinand regularly posts dieting tips on his Instagram pageCredit: Instagram/@rioferdy5
 Rio Ferdinand features in the 2017 Body Issue of Men's Health
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Rio Ferdinand features in the 2017 Body Issue of Men's HealthCredit: Men’s Health / David Clerihew

“It was a clear space, a little release time.

“Without the gym, I don’t know where I would’ve had that release time – that time just to think about nothing, or to think about something other than what was going on in my life.”

Exclusive pictures in The Sun showed Rio going public with Kate, 26, for the first time as they enjoyed a drink together in London.

It came after The Sun on Sunday revealed the dad of three, now a BT Sport pundit, had spent the night at her Essex flat in March.

Rio’s former wife Rebecca, 34, died of breast cancer in 2015.

And he appeared in a touching BBC documentary 'Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad' in March, showing his life after the death of his beloved Rebecca.

 Rio Ferdinand and former wife Rebecca, who died of cancer in 2015
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Rio Ferdinand and former wife Rebecca, who died of cancer in 2015Credit: Rex Features
 Rio Ferdinand performs an arm lift at his home gym
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Rio Ferdinand performs an arm lift at his home gymCredit: Instagram/@rioferdy5
 Rio Ferdinand bicep curls two dumbbells at his home gym
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Rio Ferdinand bicep curls two dumbbells at his home gymCredit: Instagram/@rioferdy5
 The Sun on Sunday's exclusive about Rio and new love Kate
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The Sun on Sunday's exclusive about Rio and new love Kate
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