Reading and literacy are so important. It doesn’t matter what your disability is, reading is accessible to everyone. Anyone can enjoy reading and develop a love of books and bedtime stories, just like me and my family." Premier League reveal their festive fixture calendar with Wolves vs Chelsea first Christmas Eve game in 28 years, just two football-free days in a fortnight Kevin De Bruyne swaps the Etihad for the Octagon as he sits front row at UFC 294 - insisting he 'can't wait to see the games' in Abu Dhabi John Fury reveals doctors told him son Tyson would not survive after his premature birth - but admits he 'saw something completely different'

Former Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard joined by friends to show off incredible physique in lacey catwoman outfit for Halloween But I always worried about the long-term effects of concussion. He played games and he was not able to remember scoring tries or he didn’t know the score afterwards. So I worried about Rob getting some form of dementia or Alzheimer’s – which is irrelevant now.”Farewell Franny Lee: Football stars including Graeme Souness, Micah Richards and Mike Summerbee gather to mourn Man City ace who died aged 79 Jordan Henderson escapes a red card despite inciting a BRAWL after shoving Otavio to the ground TWICE during Al-Ettifaq's 1-0 King Cup defeat by Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr Will Ferrell calls Ryan Reynolds a 'dodgy Canadian' as he meets the Hollywood star's Wrexham players, while touring the Welsh side's stadium Mohamed Salah calls for humanitarian aid to Gaza IMMEDIATELY as Liverpool star urges the world leaders 'to come together' Argentina World Cup winner Papu Gomez breaks silence after being given two-year doping ban... as he denies deliberately taking Terbitulane

In December 2019, Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a rare degenerative condition, and given a couple of years to live. He was only thirty-seven, not long retired and had three young children. When he went public with the devastating news, the outpouring of affection and support was extraordinary. When it became clear that Rob was going to fight it all the way, sympathy turned to awe. Micah Richards reveals how he downed TEN drinks from a minibar the night before a Man City game - and tried to talk his way out of playing Rob Burrow was always one of the nice guys in rugby league. Great player, fast, and just got on with the game. I support Wigan Warriors but he was always fair and well liked. Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt announces League Two club is up 'for sale' in social media outburstKaoru Mitoma delights Roberto De Zerbi by signing a new four-year deal with Brighton to 'become one of their highest earners' as they look to stave off interest

Manchester United players fear Erik ten Hag's hardline approach is affecting team morale with stars feeling that internal conflicts are damaging squad unity amid dismal start to season Ad Feature Arsenal are a short 8/13 to win their Carabao Cup tie against out-of-form West Ham... with red-hot Eddie...

Creative Play

This documentary shows never-before-seen footage of each of his challenges and an exclusive first chat with him after getting his new role in the England coaching team, as well as more intimate moments with his friends, family and hundreds of supporters as he runs through towns and cities across the UK. The programme also features some of the people living with MND who have been helped and supported by his work. That communication has been deepened by a book about Burrow’s life, called Too Many Reasons to Live, which will be published in August. Written by Ben Dirs, the accomplished ghostwriter, the manuscript is currently being read by Rob. I have read it and Dirs has captured Rob’s old voice, and good cheer, while documenting the two love stories framing his life. The first is a sporting story. It charts the romantic tale of how tiny Rob Burrow conquered brutal old rugby league against all odds, and helped turn Leeds into a powerhouse as they dominated the sport with homegrown stars who came up through the academy with him. No early night for Erling! Man City star Haaland ditches bow tie and lets his hair down for romantic dinner in Paris with girlfriend Isabel Johansen after slipping out of Ballon d'Or ceremony The two BBC programmes (second one screened for the first time tonight) about Rob are also a must watch although very upsetting at times.

Rob Burrow is one of the greatest rugby league players of all time. And the most inspirational. As a boy, Rob was told he was too small to play the sport. Even when he made his debut for Leeds Rhinos, people wrote him off as a novelty. But Rob never stopped proving people wrong. During his time at Leeds, for whom he played almost 500 games, he won eight Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges. He also played for his country in two World Cups.Broadcast in 2022, the BBC documentary Rob Burrow: Living with MND took an intimate look at Rob’s life with MND more than two years on from his diagnosis. The programme follows Rob on a trip to the swimming pool with wife Lindsey, cheering on his children at school sports day and an appointment with his neurologist. This is the second time Rob has generously allowed the cameras into his home to raise awareness, after sharing the first year after being diagnosed in the documentary Rob Burrow: My Year with MND, which was released in 2020. The powerful programme was shortlisted for a National Television Award in 2021. I live in Scotland and am married to a Scottish rugby union fan so it was also heartwarming to read a bit about Doddie Weir. Both he and Rob and countless others like them are doing their best to raise awareness and funds to combat this horrendous disease. Hopefully in the future folk will reward their efforts and find a cure. Prepare for another winter World Cup! Premier League set to be forced into another winter break when Saudi...