Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who recognised Burrow's MND campaigning with a ‘Points of Light’ award last year, said he was "honoured" to have spent some time with him.

"Rob was an inspiration to everyone who met him or who heard his incredible story," Sunak said on X.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to Burrow and his "incredible legacy" on X.

"Rob leaves behind an incredible legacy in his work to raise awareness and advocate for those with Motor Neurone Disease," Starmer said.

Image source, PA Media

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.

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.

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.

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.

Image 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.

Image 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."

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.

Image 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".

Image source, Getty Images

Image 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.

Image source, PA Media

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".

Image 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.

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.

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.

Image 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."

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.

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.

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".

Image 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."

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.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Sally Hurst/BBC

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:

Image 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.

Image 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.

Image 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."

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.

Image 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.