Fundraising large Sir Kevin Sinfield is ready to play one in every of pantomime’s largest villains
The rugby legend has been asked to lend his commanding voice to the role of The Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas
Fundraising giant Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to play one of pantomime’s biggest villains(Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
Hero Sir Kevin Sinfield has taken on his greatest challenge yet – playing one of pantomime’s biggest villains.
The rugby legend – recently knighted after raising nearly £12m to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease – has been asked to lend his commanding voice to the role of The Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk.
He has been in a recording studio laying down the thundering monster’s booming rants for a Christmas production of the family favourite show at the Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds.
Panto chiefs reckon hearing the legend’s tones shaking the auditorium will make the production ‘extra special’.
The rugby legend has been asked to lend his commanding voice to the role of The Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk
(Image: PA)
Kevin, 45, fitted in learning The Giant’s lingo around preparations for his latest seven-marathons-in-seven-days trek next month to raise another £777,777.
He devoted himself to the cause after his Leeds Rhinos team mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the
degenerative nerve condition which triggers muscle weakness, stiffness and paralysis in 2019.
Kevin famously carried his pal over the Leeds Marathon finishing line in 2023 after pushing him in a specially-adapted wheelchair round the 26.2 mile course.
Rob died the following year aged 41.
Kevin has been tackling gruelling 200-mile treks ever since in a bid to help the UK’s 8,000 sufferers.
This year will be his seventh and final multi-marathon challenge – matching the No7 pal Rob wore on his shirts.
This year will be Kevin’s his seventh and final multi-marathon challenge – matching the No7 pal Rob Burrow wore on his shirts.(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
After that his Yorkshire twang will be heard ringing out in the theatre daily from November 20 until January 3.
Kevin, who scored 3,967 points for the Rhinos in 521 matches from 1997 to 2015 to help the club win seven Super League titles, two Challenge Cups, and three World Club Challenges, said he was proud to still be entertaining the city – even if it was in the role of villain rather than hero.
And he cannot wait to be booed.
He said: “Leeds has been such a huge part of my life, professionally and personally, and the city will always hold a very special place in my heart.
“I’ve faced a few giants in my rugby career.“But voicing The Giant is a new kind of challenge.
“Having the chance to be part of Christmas for all the families that will be paying a visit to the Carriageworks Theatre over the festive season is a real privilege.
“I can’t wait for audiences to come along, boo The Giant and enjoy what will undoubtedly be a fantastic show.”
Kev – who with Rob was granted the freedom of Leeds in 2022 – has donated his panto fee to the charity.
Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: “Sir Kevin is quite rightly a hero to the people of Leeds and a true inspiration both for his sporting accomplishments and his tireless charity work.
“We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Carriageworks Theatre family.
“Hearing a local legend’s voice shake the auditorium as our giant is going to make this production extra special for all the families enjoying Christmas in Leeds this year.”
Kev was definitely the hero this week when he dropped in on
Ladies’ Day at York’s Ebor Festival to help launch his latest campaign.
Racing chiefs honoured his astonishing achievements by calling one of the showpiece events The Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Stakes.
Fans pledged their winnings to the rugby star’s cause before he had even had the chance to put on his trainers.
Kev got two standing ovations as he addressed a crowd from the winners’ enclosure about his battle to help beat MND.
Fans have already donated £65,000 to his latest trek which kicks off at rugby league World Club Champions Hull KR’s Sewell Group Craven Park stadium on September 27.
He will then visit the homes of the 11 other Super League clubs before arriving in front of 70,000 fans at Old Trafford, Manchester, in time for the kick off of the sport’s Betfred Grand Final on October 3.
His fundraising was rewarded with a knighthood in June following a Daily Star campaign backed by darts world champion Luke Littler, 19, who has donated thousands of pounds of his winnings to the cause, TV presenter Piers Morgan, 61, House of Commons’ speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, 69, and Rob’s widow Lindsey, 42.
But Kev was not a winner with the bookies.
He backed No13 horse Nizam in his race – the number he used to wear on his shirt – and it finished 13th.
