Rob Burrow death - updates: Prince William and Kevin Sinfield lead tributes to rugby star

Kevin Sinfield describes best friend Rob Burrow as a ‘beacon of hope and inspiration’ in emotional tribute

Rob Burrow and friend Kevin Sinfield finish inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023

Kevin Sinfield described Rob Burrow as a “beacon of hope and inspiration” in an emotional tribute to his best friend, who has died aged 41.

Mr Sinfield said it was the day he hoped “would never come” as he grieved the loss of his former teammate - a “wonderful friend to so many” who “fought to the end”.

“My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family,” he added.

In a personally signed message on X, William said: “He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.’ Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy.”

Mr Burrow, who had been living with motor neurone disease (MND), died in hospital near his home surrounded by his family after becoming ill earlier this week.

He played 493 times for Leeds and was capped 15 times for his country. Mr Burrows and Mr Sinfielf raised millions of pounds for various MND charities and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal in Leeds following his diagnosis in 2019.

Key Points

• Rob Burrow dies aged 41
• Kevin Sinfield pays emotion tribute
• Prince William: 'A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart’
• Fans lay flowers and shirts outside Headingley Stadium
• Tributes pour in for ex-Leeds Rhinos and GB star
• Rhinos: Rob was an inspiration

[3 June 2024 07:52 · Sam Rkaina]

We’re pausing our live coverage of tributes to Rob Burrow but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.

[3 June 2024 07:00 · Matt Mathers]

Watch: Former rugby star Rob Burrow dies aged 41 after motor neurone disease battle

[3 June 2024 06:00 · Matt Mathers]

BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent remembers Rob Burrow: A giant of a man

BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent has remembered the late rugby player Rob Burrow as the “smallest player on the pitch. But a giant of a man”.

Leeds Rhinos, the former club of the ex-rugby league star, announced his death, at the age of 41, on Sunday.

Full report:

[3 June 2024 05:00 · Matt Mathers]

Work to begin on £6m Rob Burrow MND centre one day after his death is announced

Work to build a new £6 million Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds will begin on Monday, one day after the ex-rugby league player’s death was announced.

Burrow died at the age of 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with the incurable illness. He was just 37 and had three children under the age of eight when he announced the diagnosis in 2019.

Full report:

[3 June 2024 04:55 · Alisha Rahaman Sarkar]

Kevin Sinfield and Prince William led tributes to rugby star

Kevin Sinfield and Prince William led tributes to former England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow, who died at the age of 41 after a lengthy battle with a motor neurone disease.

Mr Burrow, who played 493 times for Leeds and was capped 15 times for his country, raised millions of pounds alongside former teammate Mr Sinfield for various MND charities and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal in Leeds following his diagnosis in 2019.

Ben Fleming has more.

[3 June 2024 04:00 · Matt Mathers]

What is motor neurone disease?

It is a life-shortening neurological disease which affects the nerves that control movement, so muscles no longer work, according to the MND Association.

The charity says these nerves – motor neurones – control muscle activity such as walking, speaking and swallowing.

But as they are attacked, the brain’s messages gradually stop reaching muscles, leading to weakness and wasting, followed by breathing difficulties.

The MND Association says some people also experience changes to their thinking and behaviour.

– What are the early signs of MND?

The NHS says MND symptoms occur gradually so may not be obvious at first.

Early symptoms include weakness in ankles or legs, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing food, a weak grip, muscle cramps and twitches and weight loss.

[3 June 2024 03:00 · Matt Mathers]

A look at Rob Burrow’s campaign to raise awareness of motor neurone disease

Burrow was just 37 and had three children under the age of eight when he announced on December 19, 2019 that he had been diagnosed with the incurable illness.

The former Leeds and Great Britain scrum-half immediately launched himself into a campaign to raise awareness of the disease and here, the PA news agency charts the progress he made until his death.

Full report:

[3 June 2024 02:00 · Matt Mathers]

Rob Burrow: The rugby league legend whose biggest impact came off the pitch

Rob Burrow had scarcely had a chance to start the next chapter of his career when he was struck down by motor neurone disease.

The Leeds Rhinos great hung up his boots at the end of the 2017 season and was just getting into his stride as coach of the club’s academy team when the news came that he was suffering from the incurable illness.

Full report:

[3 June 2024 01:00 · Matt Mathers]

ICYMI: William pays tribute to ‘legend of Rugby League’ and MND campaigner Rob Burrow

The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to “legend of Rugby League” Rob Burrow, after his death aged 41 following a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease.

The MND Association said Burrow was a “passionate advocate” for people with the “brutal” disease, and William said that the former England international had a “huge heart”.

Full report:

[3 June 2024 00:01 · Matt Mathers]

ICYMI: Rob Burrow, the inspirational rugby league star, dies after battle with motor neurone disease

Former England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow has died at the age of 41 after a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease.

Burrow, who played 493 times for Leeds and was capped 15 times for his country, raised millions of pounds alongside former teammate Kevin Sinfield for various MND charities and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal in Leeds following his diagnosis in 2019.

Full report: