Skip to main content

Bristol Live

Rob Burrow's widow Lindsey makes heartbreaking confession in BBC Breakfast interview

Lindsey Burrow, the widow of rugby league legend Rob Burrow, has opened up on how she has been coping in the wake of his death from motor neurone disease

Lindsey, the widow of Rob Burrow, has opened up about her journey since his passing as she prepares to tackle the London Marathon today.

The 42-year-old was featured on BBC Breakfast's latest episode, which focused on the annual sporting event taking place this Sunday (April 27).


Reporter Charlotte Gallagher interviewed Lindsey and Dame Deborah James' sister, who are both running for specific charities, while news anchors Rachel Burden and Ben Boulos looked on.


When asked how she's managed to keep going through such challenging times following the death of her husband, former rugby player Rob, Lindsey responded: "I like a challenge! It's massively helped me in the last ten months since we've lost Rob."

Lindsey Burrow shared a candid take on BBC Breakfast
Lindsey Burrow shared a candid take on BBC Breakfast(Image: (Image: BBC))
READ MORE: BBC Breakfast enters second day of disruption as presenters forced to address changesREAD MORE: BBC Breakfast taken off air early as Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt issue statement

She added, "It's given me a focus, it's a given me a purpose. I won't be breaking any record today."

Article continues below

Robert Burrow CBE was a professional rugby league player who dedicated his entire career to Leeds Rhinos, making nearly 500 appearances.

He also represented Yorkshire, England, and Great Britain during his time on the field. At 41, Rob passed away in 2024 after a brave battle with motor neurone disease (MND), having been diagnosed in 2019, just two years after retiring from rugby, reports the Express.

Rob Burrow passed away in 2024
Rob Burrow passed away in 2024(Image: (Image: BBC))

Throughout his illness, he became a strong advocate for MND awareness and research, inspiring many with his courage and resilience. Lindsey released a heartfelt statement at the time of his death.

She expressed her grief, saying: "Although we knew this day would arrive, I am somehow still feeling at a loss for words that our loving, kind and caring husband and father has departed," adding, "However, we take comfort from how much people's love and continued support meant to Rob through his most vulnerable times."

Rob offered his own profound farewells prior to his passing with a statement that included: "I hope one day we find a cure and live in a world free of MND. By the time that you watch this I will no longer be here.


Rob Burrow with his wife Lindsey, before his death in 2024
Rob Burrow lost his fight with MND(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

"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 have since my diagnosis.

"I hope I have left a mark on the disease. "I hope it shows to live in the moment.

Article continues below

"I hope you find inspiration from the whole story. My final message to you is whatever your personal battle be brave and face it."

BBC Breakfast airs Mondays-Sundays from 6am on BBC One.

Follow Bristol Live:


BBCLondon MarathonRugby LeagueBBC Breakfast
reach logo

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.