Former Leeds Rhinos rugby player Rob Burrows is set to read a children’s story with technology that has never been used before on the BBC’s CBeebies channel.
Burrows, from West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019 which ended his 16-year professional career with Leeds Rhinos in the Super League.
Burrows will be appearing on Cbeebies Bedtime Stories on Saturday during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
He will use a computer to communicate, reading the story using an eye-controlled computer, which recreates the words into a version of the former rugby player’s own voice and allows him to keep his Yorkshire accent.
Burrows told the BBC that reading the children’s story reminded him of reading stories to his own children.
He said: “Reading is so important and accessible to everyone, no matter what disability you may have.
“I can no longer speak because my MND has affected my speech muscles, but it doesn’t stop me from reading to my three children.”
The theme of International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“.
Burrows’ new technology is something that has never been seen before on the CBeebies bedtime show – which has seen many celebrities host, such as David Tennant and Brian Cox.
Fans of the Rugby League star were quick to vocalise their support, with one Twitter user writing: “Rob is a legend”.
Some users expressed the emotions they felt after seeing the news that Burrows would be presenting the show.
