The gang that robbed World Cup pundit Ian Wright's family threatened to cut off his children's fingers if his wife did not comply, it has been reported.
Four men armed with knives stormed into Wright's north-west London home and held his wife and children before making off with personal possessions.
A spokeswoman for Wright today said his wife Nancy was "really shaken up". The former England international has flown back from Brazil to be with his family.
The 50-year-old former England international, who was in Brazil working for ITV at the World Cup, last night tweeted: "You won't get away with it."
Ian Wright returned from the World Cup earlier today
His wife Nancy, 39, is thought to have been put in a bedroom while the couple's two girls were taken to another room.
The Sun has reported that a blade was held to her throat, while one of the robbers shouted: "If you don't tell us where the safe is we'll cut off your kids' fingers."
A spokeswoman said: "Nancy is really shaken up. Their kids are so young that hopefully they aren't going to read into it too much. They are all physically okay - Nancy and the kids.
"Ian is just really upset and angry and just wants to come back and be with his family at this time."
She added: "I do believe they threatened to cut off fingers, I don't know if it was the children's or Nancy's."
The robber's reportedly threatened Ian Wright's wife Nancy (pictured right), saying they would cut off her children's fingers if she did not co-operate
Neighbours of the former Arsenal striker described how two police cars screeched up after the robbery and the road was "teeming" with officers.
Next-door neighbour Marianne Collinge, 70, said: "I suppose they could be a bit of a target because they do have beautiful cars.
"But they are very unpretentious people. They are one of us and I'm terribly sorry for them, it's awful."
Chris Martin, a neighbour in his 50s, said: "We were watching the Spain game when the police arrived last night and that's all we know about it.
"Ian is a neighbour and a decent family man. He's been living here several years and everyone around here respects his privacy."
Wellwishers took flowers to Wright's door and posted messages through his letterbox, while police made door-to-door inquiries.
Four men, believed to be armed with knives, forced their way inside the house and stole a number of items, including personal property and jewellery, a police spokesman said.
The house where the robbers struck
The suspects are described as black, aged between 18 and 25, with London accents, wearing dark clothing and hoodies obscuring their faces, he added.
No arrests have been made.
An ITV spokesman said: "Ian travelled home immediately to be with his family on hearing the shocking news. Our thoughts and best wishes are with them."
Wright made no comment to reporters as he arrived home in a silver Audi saloon.
He kept his head down and looked at his phone as he rushed into the end-of- terrace house.
Detectives had arrived a little earlier and were allowed in by his wife.