Viewers ‘in tears’ as Rob Burrow makes emotional final message in documentary after his death

Virgin Radio

4 Jun 2024, 08:01

BBC viewers were left in tears during the opening moments of a new Rob Burrow documentary, which aired after his death aged 41. 

The rugby star passed away on Sunday, five years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. 

Following the news of his passing, the BBC aired a special programme, There’s Only One Rob Burrow, last night (Monday 3rd June) and the MND campaigner made an emotional plea within the doc’s opening moments. 

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“I hope one day we find a cure and live in a world free of MND,” he began. 

“By the time that you watch this I will no longer be here. I am just a lad from Yorkshire who got to live out his dream of playing rugby league. As a father of three young children, I would never want any family to have to go through what my family and children have since my diagnosis. 

“I hope I have left a mark on the disease. I hope it shows to live in the moment, I hope you find inspiration from the whole story. My final message is whatever your personal battle, be brave and face it. Every single day is precious, don’t waste a moment. In a world full of adversity, we must still dare to dream.”

The doc then ended with Rob’s poignant final words: “Rob Burrow, over and out.”

Viewers were quickly moved to tears within the first moments of the documentary, with plenty taking to social media to praise the sportsman’s inspirational message. 

“In bits having watched this. Such admiration for the whole #burrow family,” wrote one X (formerly Twitter) user, while another said: “Heartbreaking. I laughed and cried at this beautiful tribute. His sense of humour and humility shone through. My thoughts are with his family who have let us into their lives to make us aware of this dreadful disease. What an inspiration they are. RIP.”

A third said: “Incredibly emotional, especially for my hubby who lost his older brother to MND. What an amazing, loving, inspiring tribute to a wonderful family dealing with a terrible,  heartbreaking disease.”

There’s Only One Rob Burrow included archive footage of Rob’s rugby journey through to his diagnosis, and included interviews with Rob’s family and teammates. 

In a moving tribute shared on Monday, Rob’s wife Lindsey described her husband as “simply the best.”

She said (via Sky News): "Although we knew this day would arrive, I am somehow still feeling at a loss for words that our loving, kind, caring husband and father has departed.

“I was incredibly proud and fortunate to call Rob my husband. I am unbelievably proud of the campaigning he's done to raise awareness and the millions of pounds that have been raised in his name for MND charities.”

Following his diagnosis in 2019, Rob and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield helped to raise over £15 million for charity in the hopes of funding research into MND. 

Rob was made an MBE in the 2021 New Years Honours list for his services to rugby league and the MND community, and was then awarded the CBE earlier this year for motor neurone disease awareness. 

The thoughts of everyone at Virgin Radio go out to Rob’s friends and family. 

There’s Only One Rob Burrow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.