Kevin Sinfield has been hailed as a “true hero” after completing a seven-day ultra marathon challenge and raising over £2 million for charity in the process.
The former professional rugby player – who captained Leeds Rhinos in the Super League for 18 years from 1997-2015, and now acts as the defence coach for Leicester Tigers – absolutely smashed it out the park by running seven ultra marathons in seven days in order to raise as much money as possible in aid of a host of motor neurone disease (MND) charities.
The challenge – which again is aid of his best pal and former teammate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in late 2019 – saw Sinfield set off from Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Sunday 13 November, and run over 60km a day each day in order to reach his final destination in time.
He crossed the finish line at his final destination at Old Trafford during the Rugby League World Cup final on Saturday 19 November, and was greeted by a roaring standing ovation from a near full-capacity crowd inside the Manchester stadium.
Speaking to the crowd at Old Trafford as he crossed the finish line on Saturday, Kevin said: “It’s all about friendship and the love for Rob. Everyone probably feels the same way about Rob as I do, he is an absolute champion.”
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But despite this monumental achievement, the Oldham-born legend showed he’s still human.
In a hilarious moment that’s been going viral on social media over the weekend, TV cameras following Sinfield during his challenge saw him stopping at the side of the road for a quick wee, and it went out live on BBC Breakfast.
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Presenters Charlie Stayt and Rachel Burden were understandably caught off guard and proceeded to crack up with laughter.
“We have a camera on board a bike which is following,” Charlie told BBC Breakfast viewers, “We set him off every morning and we don’t really know how it works apart from…” and then, just as he said those words, Kevin took a toilet break right in front of the live cameras.
“Ah, brilliant timing, well done Charlie,” Rachel added as the pair laughed off the unfortunate moment.
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As mentioned, Sinfield took up the challenge in honour of his former Leeds Rhinos teammate and pal Rob Burrow, and the pair were seen sharing an emotional moment as Sinfield passed through Headingley in Leeds on the sixth day of his challenge.
Presenters Charlie Stayt and Rachel Burden were understandably caught off guard / Credit: BBC Breakfast
Sinfield’s aim with this challenge was to raise £777,777 for people living with MND, which would be split between Motor Neurone Disease Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and MND Scotland.
Channel 4 needs adult virgins with ‘intimacy issues’ for next series of hit reality show
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before.
First hitting screens back in 2024 and having run for two successful seasons now, Virgin Island follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
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Pep Guardiola in talks over first international management role
Danny Jones
Football icon and Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola is reportedly set for his first job since leaving the Etihad Stadium, as the Catalan head coach looks like he could be set to make his move into international management.
The generational manager, who has undoubtedly become one of, if not the greatest of all time, left Man City at the end of last season after a decade in East Manchester.
Stepping away from the sky blue side with 20 trophies in 10 years, he’s won pretty much everything there is to win – at least at club level, anyway.
With that in mind, multiple outlets are now claiming that Guardiola is getting ready to make his debut on the international circuit, already being heavily linked with a role as part of ‘gli Azzurri’.
EXCLUSIVE: The FIGC has met with Pep Guardiola to convince him to take over as national team head coach, according to Sky in Italy 🚨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/qmzjunjur4
Yes, as per Sky News’ sporting arm over in Italy, Pep is now rumoured to be the next person to take the job in their national team, which would be his first proper senior position in international football.
According to Sky, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have already held meetings with the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City boss.
It remains unclear how advanced talks and/or negotiations have progressed up to this point, but it is said that fellow footballing veteran and AC Milan legend turned FIGC technical director, Paolo Maldini, has already travelled to meet the 55-year-old.
Believed to have been joined by former teammate and right-hand man Leonardo Araújo – who previously served as director at PSG – it looks to be more a case of whether Pep wants the job rather than if Italy want him.
From announcing a documentary series covering his final season at Man City, to even launching a dedicated ‘Decade of Pep’ fashion collection, it’s fair to say that both the club and the fan base are bidding a bittersweet goodbye.
Pep has already made it clear that he can’t see himself ever managing the Spanish national team, remarking: “I am a Catalan. I don’t see myself ever managing Spain.”
Meanwhile, other names rumoured as options for the Italian manager’s job include Andrea Pirlo and a return by fellow ex-MCFC boss, Roberto Mancini. Can you see Pep pipping any of these to the post?
As for his former club and ‘second home’, Cityzens will be glad to hear that while it may be all change over at the Etihad Campus, there is plenty to be hopeful about – including some steps more in the right direction when it comes to tickets.
Emily Sergeant -
21st November 2022 
