Rhinos legends Burrow and Sinfield to receive gold Blue Peter badges

During their playing careers Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield achieved an incredible amount of success but they have created another first this week as they become the first Rugby League players ever to be awarded a gold Blue Peter badge. 

The Gold badge is the highest award in the Blue Peter family and they are very rare indeed. Each year only a very small number of badges are awarded to recognise and celebrate exceptional outstanding achievements. To earn a Gold badge, you must be aged 5-15 and have already earned at least one other Blue Peter badge.

Extraordinary adults can also be awarded a Gold Blue Peter badge. They are awarded to high profile personalities who are role models, inspiring the nation’s children. Blue Peter presenters and pets are usually awarded a gold badge to recognise their achievements on the show.

Previous recipients of a Gold badge include King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II, David Beckham, Ed Sheeran, Madonna, Sir David Attenborough, Sir Paul McCartney, Tom Daley, Steven Spielberg and Marcus Rashford. 

To be awarded a Gold badge you MUST have achieved one or more of the following:

• Acted selflessly, but responsibly, with a single act of bravery that saved the life of another person
• Acted with outstanding courage, overcome adversity and made life better for another person, or community
• Worked independently, inspired others and affected positive change
• Extraordinary achievement, against the odds. For example, overcoming adversity and winning an international sporting event

The pair went along to Leeds Underdogs community club in North Leeds to be presented with their badges from host Joel Mawhinney. The presentation will be part of Friday's show on CBBC at 5pm and after on the BBC iPlayer. The show is also repeated on Saturdays at 11:30 am, Sundays at 9:00 am and a BSL version is shown on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm.

Commenting on the award, Rob Burrow CBE said, "Thank you for this special award, to be awarded a Blue Peter Gold badge alongside my friend Kevin Sinfield is a great honour and I will be sure to wear it with pride."