Summary

  • Tributes are being paid to Rob Burrow who has died aged 41

  • The former Leeds Rhinos rugby league star was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019

  • Since then he has campaigned and raised funds to support research into MND

  • The Prince of Wales and former captain and best friend Kevin Sinfield are among those honouring the father-of-three

  • Sinfield said the world had "lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so so many"

  • Prince William said Burrow was a rugby league legend who had a "huge heart"

  • Building on the £6.8m Rob Burrow MND treatment centre in Leeds got under way earlier on Monday

  • Burrow's parents and sisters said he would be looking down at them all as they broke ground on the new development

  • Supporters have continued to lay tributes at the Rhinos' Headingley Stadium, with current and former players also attending

  1. Rob and Doddie shared 'unique bond' - Weir foundationpublished at 10:43 3 June

    Picture of Doddie WeirImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Scottish rugby legend Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016

    My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by Scottish rugby union player Doddie Weir in 2017, shared an emotional tribute message to Rob Burrow.

    Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016, and died in 2022.

    Burrow had said Weir was his "MND hero".

    "Doddie and Rob shared a unique bond, both as legendary rugby players and as warriors against this devastating disease," the charity said.

    "His journey, shared so openly, has brought much-needed attention to MND, and his legacy will inspire future generations."

    "The rugby community and the MND community have lost a giant, but the impact of Rob’s work and spirit will endure," it added.

  2. Watch: Tributes paid to Rob Burrowpublished at 10:40 3 June

    A BBC News special is currently being streamed on iPlayer, where you can watch some of the tributes being paid to Rob Burrow, following the announcement of his death.

    If you want to watch the live programme, just press the play button below.

  3. Watch: Sinfield carries Burrow over 2023 marathon finishpublished at 10:18 3 June

    Last year, more than 12,000 people took part in the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, including Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow.

    In a memorable moment, Sinfield carried Burrow over the finish line after pushing his former teammate around the course in a specially adapted wheelchair.

    The marathon raised funds for The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and the Leeds Hospitals Charity, as well as a host of other causes.

  4. Building at Rob Burrow MND centre to beginpublished at 10:08 3 June

    Work is due to start today on the multimillion-pound MND treatment centre named after Rob Burrow in his home city.

    The state-of-the-art centre would be based at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds at an estimated cost of £6.8m.

    Rob Burrow on a billboard about building new centreImage source, PA Media

    Kevin Sinfield's many challenges have raised millions of pounds for it, with donations from thousands of others helping towards the goal.

    Chief executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity Esther Wakeman said people had been paying their respects overnight by sending messages or donating to the appeal to build the new facility.

    "Today the plan is to put a spade in the ground, to start building the centre. We still have a million pounds to raise, but we are confident that the community will continue to get behind this.

    The building plannedImage source, Leeds Hospitals Charity

    "This is something which will stand there for many years supporting patients and their families and that's what Rob wanted."

  5. Burrow's legendary sporting statuspublished at 09:57 3 June

    This morning we've been hearing about Rob Burrow - a family man, friend, decorated sportsman and motor neurone disease campaigner.

    Many of the tributes we've published so far have been from his former rugby league teammates at both Leeds Rhinos and England.

    Burrow running from a playerImage source, Getty Images

    The diagnosis for MND came just two years after he retired from playing, following a stellar 17-year career that included winning eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups.

    Burrow's death was announced by the Rhinos, who called their former scrum-half and hooker "a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND".

    Burrow scoring a tryImage source, Getty Images
    Burrow holding a ballImage source, Getty Images

    Burrow spent his entire club career with Leeds and made more than 400 appearances between 2001 and 2017.

    One of the most successful rugby league players in history, Burrow was made an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for his services to the sport and for his work in the MND community.

    He played alongside Kevin Sinfield - a man who would go on to complete challenges with Burrow, raising millions of pounds for charity.

    The pair were awarded CBEs for their fundraising efforts in the 2024 New Year Honours.

    Kevin Sinfield and BurrowImage source, PA Media
  6. Prince sends love to Burrow familypublished at 09:46 3 June

    Prince William, who had met Burrow and Kevin Sinfield a number of times during their work to raise awareness and money for research into MND, has paid tribute to "a legend".

    Prince William with Kevin Sinfield and Rob BurrowImage source, PA Media

    Tweeting from the official Kensington Royal X account, external and signing his message with a W, the prince said Burrow had a huge heart, adding: "He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream."

    He added that his family sent love to Burrow's wife, Lindsey, and the couple's three children.

  7. 'Bravest man in Britain' and other headlinespublished at 09:39 3 June

    The announcement of Burrow's death has had a big impact on people this morning, with many national papers carrying the news on their front pages.

    A newspaper front page
    A newspaper front page
    A newspaper front page
    A newspaper front page
  8. Burrow legacy 'is one of courage' says teammatepublished at 09:26 3 June

    Peg Alexander
    Reporter, BBC Radio Leeds, at Headingley

    At Headingley Stadium, a steady stream of people have been arriving to pay their respects to Rob Burrow, whose death was announced yesterday.

    One of those people is former teammate Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

    Jamie Jones-BuchananImage source, PA Media

    "It's a sad day, it was a sad evening last night," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

    "It's a time to reflect and that reflection has brought about the manifestation of the courage that Rob showed throughout his life.

    "Rob was a shining light and the spirit of Leeds, to quote some of the tributes left at the statue of John Holmes.

    "His legacy is one of courage, to do it for a mate with a mate, be brave, to stand up and fight for what you believe in and Rob did that both on and off the field and that will never leave this club, this town, this city and those who are inspired by Rob.

    "Rob transcended sport and through the media he was able to get his message out of love, of altruism and benevolence."

  9. The little man who made a big differencepublished at 09:09 3 June

    A champion on and off the field, the determination, courage and humility of Rob Burrow guaranteed a legacy that stretches way beyond the sport he loved.

    Rob Burrow mural

    At 5ft 5in, Burrow was among the smallest men in rugby league, but he became one of its biggest names.

    Father, family man, friend, competitor, campaigner. His death aged 41 comes nearly five years after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

    When Burrow learned of his illness, he told his wife Lindsey: "Thank God it's me and not the kids."

    Read more from BBC Sport's report on the difference Burrow made to family, teammates and the MND community here.

  10. Burrow 'used every opportunity' says MND charitypublished at 09:04 3 June

    The MND Association said Burrow was a "consistent and passionate advocate for people with MND" and "used every opportunity to raise awareness of the disease".

    Rob BurrowImage source, PA Media

    "It is testament to the strength of feeling people have for Rob that the support in his name has never wavered," their statement following his death added.

    "The MND Association is incredibly grateful to Rob and his family for helping to raise awareness of MND, and funds for the Association, by sharing the details of their journey and by inspiring so many people both within the MND community and the wider public."

  11. People gather at Headingley to pay tributepublished at 08:59 3 June

    Last night and this morning, we've seen hundreds of people pay their respects to Rob Burrow at Headingley Stadium.

    Flowers, shirts and scarves have been placed at the home of Leeds Rhinos, who Burrow played for before his MND diagnosis.

    Flowers on the groundImage source, PA Media
    Fans at the stadiumImage source, PA Media
    Shirts on the floorImage source, Sally Hurst/BBC
  12. 'I will miss you my little mate' says Sinfieldpublished at 08:56 3 June

    Kevin Sinfield has written about the love he had for friend and former teammate Rob Burrow, following his death.

    Together, Sinfield and Burrow raised millions for charity to increase awareness and fund research into MND, a disease Burrow was diagnosed with in 2019.

    Below is Sinfield's message following the announcement of his death:

    Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow over the finishing lineImage source, PA Media

    "Today was the day that I hoped would never come.

    "The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so so many.

    "You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story.

    Sinfield holds his arm around BurrowImage source, PA Media

    "My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family, Lindsey, Macy, Maya, and Jackson, to your lovely parents Geoff and Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider family and friends.

    "You will continue to inspire me every single day. I have lost a dear friend and I will never forget the special times we shared both on and off the pitch. I would always say that you were pound for pound the toughest player I ever played alongside, however since your diagnosis, you were the toughest and bravest man I have ever met.

    Sinfield speaks to BurrowImage source, Reuters

    "The last four-and-a-half years you showed the world what living and loving looked like and this was always done with the biggest smile on your face.

    "I will miss you my little mate.

    "All my love

    "Kev x."

  13. Welcome to our coveragepublished at 08:52 3 June

    Oli Constable
    BBC News

    Hello and thank you for joining us.

    We're waking up to the news this morning that former Leeds Rhinos star and MND campaigner Rob Burrow has died.

    Rob BurrowImage source, PA Media

    Last night, Leeds Rhinos said it was with "deep sadness" they announced his death aged 41.

    Burrow played rugby league for the Rhinos before his diagnosis with motor neurone disease in 2019.

    Since then, he campaigned for more research into MND, with millions of pounds raised towards a new Rob Burrow Centre in Leeds, to care for those living with the disease.

    His former teammate and friend Kevin Sinfield, who had spearheaded fundraising efforts by completing mammoth challenges, has led tributes.

    "You will continue to inspire me every single day," he said.