Prince William and Kevin Sinfield are among those to have paid tribute to rugby league

Prince William and Kevin Sinfield are among those to have paid tribute to rugby league legend Rob Burrow following his death aged 41. Burrow's former club Leeds Rhinos announced his death on Sunday, describing him as "a true inspiration throughout his life". He had lived with motor neurone disease (MND) for nearly five years after being diagnosed in late 2019. The Prince of Wales described Burrow as a "legend of rugby league" who had a "huge heart", while best friend Mr Sinfield described his former team-mate as a "beacon of hope and inspiration". "Today was the day I hoped would never come", he said in a tribute posted on social media.

"You will continue to inspire me every day." Sinfield continued: "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. "The last 4 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." In a personally signed message on X, Prince William wrote: "(Burrow) taught us, 'in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.' "Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy."

Burrow is survived by his wife Lindsey and their three children. The chief executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity Esther Wakeman said: "We are heartbroken to hear that our Patron, Rob Burrow, has sadly died. "Rob was an inspiration, not only to the people of Yorkshire, but the entire nation, and across the world." Leeds Hospitals Charity said Burrow "bravely shared his personal story with us all" and "showed us how to live life to the fullest in the face of adversity".

 It added that £5.8m had been raised to build a specialist center for people living with motor neurone disease and their families "thanks to Rob's dedication and support". Paul Watkins, director of fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity, said work was due to begin on the center on Monday. "The family still want it to go ahead. That just shows how magnanimous and gracious they are. "All along they have thought about others." The build is expected to take about a year and the charity remains focused on raising the last £1m of their target.