Rugby League legend Rob Burrow MBE launches new BBC England podcast showcasing inspirational tales from sporting greats.

In every episode the legendary Leeds Rhino star, who has motor neurone illness and communicates by way of a computerised voice he banked earlier than he misplaced the flexibility to talk, talks to a unique sports activities particular person about their careers, challenges, and profitable moments.

The podcast, referred to as Seven: Rob Burrow after the quantity on his rugby shirt, is a seven part-series which can be obtainable on The Total Sport Podcast on BBC Sounds. It can be obtainable weekly from Tuesday 7 November on BBC Sounds.

Among those that stand as much as the host’s cheeky interviewing type is England soccer star and present Birmingham City supervisor, Wayne Rooney.

In the primary episode, Wayne remembers how nervous he felt when he was requested to current Rob and the Rhinos with their workforce shirts forward of the 2012 Grand Final in opposition to Warrington.

Wayne additionally reveals how Rob’s power and positivity has impressed everybody round him.

He says: “I know first-hand the impact this (illness) can have on yourself and people around you. Everyone must change the way of living and I had that with my sister-in-law who suffered not the same illness, but something as severe. But your energy and positivity helps everyone else around you, I can see the money you have raised for charity and to help others, it’s really inspiring.”

Other buddies interviewed on the podcast embody former England rugby union participant and world-cup winner, Jonny Wilkinson; British double-Olympic gold medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes; former Scottish rugby union participant, Kenny Logan and his spouse, BBC sports activities presenter Gabby Logan; British wheelchair racer Hannah Cockcroft, and with additional sporting greats nonetheless to be introduced.

Rob says: “I have loved making this podcast and talking to many inspirational sporting heroes and friends. Having this disease doesn’t mean I don’t have a voice. I live life to the full every day and refuse to give in. I’ve really enjoyed being able to showcase my personality in my podcast and have a laugh.”

Rob is a patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, who’ve helped along with his AI expertise and the creation of his computerised ‘Yorkshire’ voice, which has enabled him to speak. This podcast sequence was made doable with the assistance of the MND Association, because it helped Rob along with his eye-gaze expertise, which has enabled him to do the sequence.

Tanya Curry, CEO of the Motor Neurone Disease Association says: “By using his communication aid to converse with guests, Rob is continuing to push boundaries of what is possible when living with MND and raising awareness that around 80% of people living with MND will experience changes to their speech after being diagnosed with the disease. The podcast is sure to pull in a breadth of listeners – rugby fans, members of the MND community and the wider public – and we can’t wait to listen to what promises to be a truly entertaining and enlightening series.”

Chris Burns, BBC Controller of Local Audio Commissioning says: “This is a ground-breaking podcast hosted by one of rugby’s best-known players. By working closely with Lindsey Burrow and with the support of innovative technology this is an opportunity for many to enjoy Rob’s irrepressible sense of humour and positivity as he chats to a selection of impressive guests. Local BBC Radio loves to bring inspirational stories to audiences across England, and this is one such unmissable story.”

Seven: Rob Burrow is a BBC England manufacturing for BBC Sounds. The full sequence can be obtainable as a part of The Total Sport Podcast from Tuesday 7 November. It can even be serialised on BBC Radio Leeds.

The commissioning of this podcast underlines the BBC’s dedication to make extra content material throughout the nation, getting nearer to our audiences to raised mirror, signify and serve all components of the UK.

HM3