Rob Burrow: Rugby league player who raised awareness after Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis, dies aged 41
Rob Burrow, the former rugby league star who worked tirelessly to raise awareness around motor neurone disease (MND) after being diagnosed with the illness, has died at the age of 41.
Leeds Rhinos, where Burrow spent his entire league career, said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that the club can confirm that former player Rob Burrow CBE has passed away, aged 41.
“Rob inspired the entire country with his brave battle against motor neurone disease since his diagnosis in December 2019.
“He passed away peacefully at Pinderfield’s Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week.”
Rob Burrow in action during his testimonial match. Pic: PA
Burrow played the sport internationally and won eight Super League titles with Leeds Rhinos before being diagnosed with the disease aged 37.
He was awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours List for his services to motor neurone disease (MND).
Burrow enjoyed a decorated career, representing Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain, but he will be best remembered for his bravery in a battle off the pitch that began in 2019.
Burrow, a fierce competitor, known for many years as the smallest player in Rugby League’s Super League, was determined to tackle his illness head on.
Speaking to Sky News shortly after his diagnosis, he said: “A few weeks past the diagnosis, I’m a lot better, I’m feeling positive and just ready to take it on.
“I don’t want pity. I don’t want people feeling sorry for me, I just want to go on as normal.”
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From November – Rob Burrow: ‘Kev is still my captain’
That trademark determination saw him help raise millions of pounds for charities doing research into the rare, degenerative brain and nerve condition that would eventually take his voice and confine him to a wheelchair.
His fundraising was supported by the Rugby League community, who rallied behind him and made his cause their own.
One of his first appearances in public following diagnosis was his testimonial game held at Headingley, the Leeds Rhinos home ground in January 2020.
Burrow was a legend at the club, having won eight super league championships and two challenge cups, as well as several individual honours.
Before the game, he came out to a rapturous reception with his three children Macy, Maya and Jackson, before running out in Rhinos colours one final time alongside some of his most famous former teammates.
One of those teammates was Kevin Sinfield, whose life has become indelibly linked to that of his friend.
Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow. Pic: AP
Their special bond received royal recognition in January 2024, when The Prince of Wales awarded the pair with CBEs for their services to MND.
Traveling to Headingley to present the pair with their honours in front of their families, Prince William congratulated them for their “phenomenal” efforts raising funds and awareness for the disease.
Speaking in late 2023 alongside Burrow, Sinfield said: “Just because the Rugby stops, doesn’t mean those friendships stop and when one of your best mates is given the diagnosis Rob got, then you have a choice whether you stand shoulder to shoulder, or you don’t,” he said.
“What’s become clear is the fight and the spirit that I knew Rob had, he’s shown more than ever.”
Sinfield, who captained Leeds Rhinos to many of their most famous victories has completed several challenges to fundraise for MND organisations.
These include raising £1.5 million after completing seven ultramarathons in seven days, starting from Edinburgh and ending at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, reaching the finish line during the Rugby League World Cup Final.
An image that will live long in the memory was Sinfield carrying his friend over the finish line in May 2023, at the Rob Burrow Half Marathon in Leeds.
Pic: PA
Barrie McDermott, who also played at Leeds Rhinos with the pair can remember that day.
“Rob’s body had taken a lot of punishment, so the great leader that Kev is, made a decision. He was going to pick him up. And of all the things I’ve been a part of that is the most powerful image,” he recalled.
McDermott also shared his own special relationship with Burrow, with the pair a well-known little and large combination in the Rhinos dressing room.
Burrow stood at about 5ft 5 inches, while McDermott was about 5ft 10 inches, weighing close to 17 stone.
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‘Friendship and love’ behind Rob Burrow marathon
McDermott, who would text and visit Burrow regularly, called him a “beacon of light, strength and hope.”
“Rob Burrow in our game of Rugby League had a harder fighter to get seen to get noticed, but his legacy is, he’s done that,” said McDermott.
“He’s made people look and notice. The most important thing is to keep telling Rob’s story, keep talking about this little 5ft4 Rugby League player who was diagnosed with MND and went on a crusade to campaign for the MND sufferers and make sure those voices, even when they lost them were as loud as possible.”
Even as the illness progressed, Burrow’s willingness to be seen in the public eye, often alongside his wife Lindsey, meant he was able to help raise the profile of an illness that currently has no cure.
Prince William meets Rob Burrow and his family. Pic: PA
His campaigning and bravery are often compared to the Scottish Rugby Union player Doddie Weir, who died aged 52 in 2022.
Tanya Curry, The Chief Executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association said Burrow “made a huge amount of difference.”
“Not only for donations and financial influence for the organisation, but actually in the campaigning arena.”
“It’s a rare disease, but actually something that people understand now. So, he has done so much for the community and we are honestly so grateful for that.”
Burrow leaves behind his wife and three children along with a legendary Rugby Legacy and an even bigger one in the fight to raise awareness for MND.
UK
Greater Manchester Police makes ‘improvements’ in treatment of women including new rules on strip searches – but questions remain after Sky News investigation
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says it has made wide-ranging changes to the treatment of women in custody, following a Sky News investigation.
This includes ending the use of police strip searches for “welfare” purposes and ensuring it is a “last resort” when looking for concealed items.
A Sky News investigation in 2023 into the custody practices of GMP led to an inquiry by former victims’ commissioner Dame Vera Baird.
In July 2024, the report found “horror stories” of police making “unlawful” arrests and unnecessary strip searches, sometimes to victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.
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From July 2023: Are women safe in custody?
A report today by the Greater Manchester mayor’s office welcomes the introduction of new measures including additional training for police officers dealing with domestic violence victims.
However, many victims are unconvinced. One such is Sophie, not her real name, telling her story for the first time.
She tells Sky News that even after the Baird Inquiry found her arrest was “unlawful” and the chief inspector called her treatment “appalling”, the police complaints department subsequently described the arrest as “acceptable”.
Sophie’s experience was investigated by Dame Vera alongside other women who Sky News spoke to last year.
She was arrested at 3am in the summer of 2022, and detained for 11 hours following a trivial complaint made by her ex-partner. Her accuser was designated by the police as a highly violent, domestic abuse perpetrator.
‘Sophie’ described her arrest as ‘an extension’ of her former partner’s ‘coercion’
Even so, Sophie was arrested at her home in the middle of the night after her abuser alleged she had broken his car wing mirror, 14 months previously, and that she had bruised his arms on an occasion when he had strangled her.
‘They knew what I was trying to protect myself from’
The man making the allegation was someone who had punched, strangled, pressed his thumbs into Sophie’s eyes and locked her up in the house.
Sophie told Sky News: “He’s got a history of domestic violence; he’s got a history of being incarcerated. They knew what I’d gone through, they knew what I was trying to protect myself from.
“I was in contact regularly with domestic violence support workers who were meeting with police liaison officers. They knew that I had the locks changed. They knew I had an alert on the house and my phone.”
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From August 2023: ‘I was gaslit, I was stonewalled,’ says Zayna Iman
Sophie describes the police arrest as “an extension of his coercion”. She later refused to accept a police caution and was charged with the offence of damaging a wing mirror before a judge threw the case out saying it was not in the public interest.
At a press conference in July this year, Dame Vera said: “I tell you ladies and gentlemen, if someone tried to strangle me, I’d probably bruise his arms as well.”
She said the arresting officers had “locked away their brains” and criticised the custody sergeant who had logged his justification for the arrest as “to protect a vulnerable person”, in reference to the violent man.
GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson speaks to Sky’s Jason Farrell
A series of ‘failures’
At that time, GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson said he was “appalled” by Sophie’s treatment.
He told Sky News: “It’s a systemic failure, a leadership failure, a process failure. I do think in individual circumstances it may be a failure of experience.”
And yet, one month after this, the police complaints department wrote to tell Sophie “there were sufficient grounds for your arrest”. The letter told her: “The service provided by the police was acceptable.”
Only after Sophie revealed that her case was part of the Baird Inquiry did the police retract these findings.
Read more on this story:
Woman claims ‘sex offenders are still serving as officers’
What has Greater Manchester Police learned from the Baird Review?
In a statement, GMP told Sky News: “The outcome Sophie was provided was incorrect. Having reviewed the handling of the complaint, our head of professional standards gave Sophie a personal apology and we are ensuring there is a full reinvestigation.
“Complaints relating to the Baird review – including Sophie’s – are subject to a fair and thorough examination, without fear or favour, by our Professional Standards Directorate.
“Where an investigation finds there to be a case to answer, we will ensure officers face disciplinary proceedings.
GMP headquarters located in Central Park in the Newton Heath area of Manchester
‘1,500 more domestic abuse survivors now getting justice’
“We are working hard to ensure that the people of Greater Manchester – particularly women and girls – can have confidence in their police force. This includes providing trauma-informed training for officers and getting better outcomes for victims – with 1,500 more domestic abuse survivors now getting justice compared to three years ago.
“Our communities can have confidence that the force is robust in maintaining good order and discipline. Those not fit to serve are being removed from GMP with more than 100 officers dismissed on the Chief Constable’s watch.”
However, Sky News has been told that most complaints relating to the Baird Inquiry are subject to ongoing investigation and, so far, no officers have been disciplined or dismissed.
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From July: Mark Dove says he was ‘left naked in cell for hours’
In response to the Baird Inquiry, GMP now has a dedicated female welfare officer in its custody suites and is soon to introduce a new independent oversight panel to scrutinise arrests.
According to the mayor’s office, 24 of the 26 recommendations from the inquiry have been implemented.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “This is a landmark moment in our quest to improve the safety and treatment of women across Greater Manchester.
“It is clear that there is still progress to be made. The deputy mayor and I will continue to hold up a mirror to unacceptable practices wherever we find them.”
Deputy mayor Kate Green added: “While the implementation of these recommendations to date is welcome, it is essential that the improvements brought about are maintained and indeed built upon, and on behalf of the mayor I will continue to scrutinise GMP as it makes progress in these areas.”
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Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
However, Sophie feels let down and says if she was in an abusive relationship again, she would think twice about going to the police.
“I wouldn’t just be OK with reporting something now, I would look at the consequences of me doing that, and what could happen as a result of me doing that, and how they would treat me,” she said.
“It’s going to take me longer to get over what happened to me that night in being arrested and being locked up than getting over being slapped or punched.”
Former victims’ commissioner Dame Vera Baird and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham will be speaking to Wilfred Frost on Sky News Breakfast from 7.30am this morning.
UK
Harshita Brella: International manhunt under way for husband after woman’s body found in car boot
An international manhunt is under way for the husband of a murdered woman, whose body was found in the boot of a car.
The body of Harshita Brella was found in east London on Thursday, tens of miles away from her home in Corby.
On Sunday, Northamptonshire Police said they were looking for Pankaj Lamba – who they believe has left the country.
Sky News understands she had been under the protection of a court order designed for victims of domestic abuse.
“Our inquiries lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire earlier this month by her husband Pankaj Lamba,” said chief inspector Paul Cash.
“We suspect Lamba transported Harshita’s body from Northamptonshire to Ilford by car.”
“Fast track” enquires were made after the force was contacted on Wednesday by someone concerned about Ms Brella’s welfare. After she failed to answer the door at her home in Skegness Walk, Corby, a missing person investigation was launched.
Her body was found inside the boot of a vehicle on Brisbane Road, Ilford, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
A post mortem – conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday – established she had been murdered.
Harshita Brella, 24, from Corby. Her body was found in a car in east London. Pic: Northamptonshire Police
More than 60 detectives are working on the case, with lines of enquiry including going house to house and property searches, as well as looking at CCTV and ANPR.
“We are of course continuing to appeal for any information that will help us piece together exactly what happened as we work to get justice for Harshita,” said chief inspector Cash.
“I urge anyone listening to or reading this statement, that if you saw anything suspicious in the past week or have any information, no matter how small, please contact us. We would always rather receive well-meaning information that turns out to be nothing as opposed to not receiving it all.”
Pankaj Lamba. Pic: Northamptonshire Police
Force referred to police watchdog
On Saturday, Northamptonshire Police said it had made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previous contact between the force and the victim.
Northamptonshire Police previously said officers had been conducting investigations at three locations: Skegness Walk and Sturton Walk in Corby and Brisbane Road, Ilford, where Ms Brella’s body was found.
East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU) and Northamptonshire Police said they were working “around the clock to establish the circumstances behind her death, including the exact location and timeframe in which it took place”.
State-of-the-art technology has been used to create a voice for King Richard III – giving him a Yorkshire accent.
A digital avatar of the medieval king’s head went on display in front of excited history fans at York Theatre Royal.
Richard III was king of England from 1483 until his death at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, at the age of 32.
His remains were found in a car park in Leicester in 2012 by historian Philippa Langley.
Speaking about the recreation, she said: “We’ve got leading experts in their fields who have been working on this for 10 years and so everything has been meticulously researched, meticulously evidenced, so you are seeing the most accurate portrayal of Richard III”.
A team based at Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University created the avatar based on the reconstruction of Richard III’s head with the help of a craniofacial expert.
Experts from various fields helped put the pieces of the puzzle together, including speech and language therapy, dentistry, forensic psychology and archaeology.
His voice has been created by Professor David Crystal, a leading linguist in 15th-century pronunciation. He admitted that it’s impossible to know exactly how he spoke, but this is as close as they will get.
The king was born in Northampton but spent a lot of his life in Yorkshire. His parents were also from the north of England.
Vocal coach Yvonne Morley-Chisholm spent a decade researching how the monarch would have sounded. She worked with the actor Thomas Dennis who was chosen as his body and face were such a good physical match.
Speaking to Sky News, she said people will be shocked at how different he sounded compared with traditional portrayals of the king on stage and screen.
The coach and actor also examined the king’s letters and diary so that “as you pronounced a word that’s how you would write it”.
Read more from Sky News:
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The voice shows the change in pronunciation over the centuries – from regional variations to the Queen’s English.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
History fans at the unveiling were delighted with the accent, with one telling Sky News: “Northerners are known to be happy, positive, all those lovely qualities.”
Born in Northampton but a northerner through and through, technology has brought the king’s speech back to life
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