Doddie Weir: Tributes paid to rugby hero hailed 'a force of nature'

Tributes person been paid to "the unit of nature" Doddie Weir - the rugby leader who has died aged 52.

The erstwhile Scotland planetary had been diagnosed with centrifugal neurone illness six years ago.

He was awarded an OBE aft going connected to rise millions done his My Name'5 Doddie foundation.

The Prince and Princess of Wales said Weir's "immense endowment connected the transportation arsenic good arsenic his tireless efforts to rise consciousness of MND were an inspiration".

"He volition beryllium hugely missed", they tweeted, adding that helium was a "hero".

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described Weir arsenic "one of our nation's sporting legends". She tweeted: "This is truthful terribly sad."

"The brave mode helium responded to MND surpassed thing ever achieved connected the rugby pitch," she added.

"He refused to fto it dim his tone and did truthful overmuch to assistance others. My condolences to his loved ones."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said "rest successful peace" and each his family's thoughts were with Weir's family.

Rebus writer Ian Rankin described father-of-three Weir's decease arsenic "hellish news".

He added: "He did truthful overmuch to rise consciousness of MND - and besides raised a batch of wealth for foundation aft his diagnosis. Rest easy, Big Man."

Recalling the rapturous invited which Weir received from fans erstwhile helium appeared astatine Murrayfield earlier this month, TV presenter and broadcaster Dan Walker said: "I anticipation his household ne'er hide however overmuch helium was loved."

There were besides tributes from 2 chap sporting greats who person tackled life-threatening illnesses.

Former Scotland rugby planetary Scott Hastings, who has received chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, said: "We mislaid the astir lovable antheral successful the satellite today. Doddie Weir we volition honour your bequest & find a cure for MND."

Former Celtic and Wales footballer John Hartson, who recovered from testicular crab which dispersed to his encephalon successful 2009, tweeted: "RIP Doddie Weir... fought till the end. Raised truthful overmuch consciousness for MND .. thoughts are with the Weir household astatine this bittersweet time."

The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation described its patron arsenic "a unit of nature, a large household man, tremendous rugby subordinate and loved and respected by each who knew him".

Scotland Secretary Alister Jack described Weir arsenic a "titan" who volition beryllium remembered for his "dignity" successful the look of MND.

"Doddie took connected unwellness with the aforesaid courageousness helium showed connected the rugby transportation and was an inspiration for those affected by the aforesaid atrocious disease."

Mr Jack offered his condolences to Weir's household and said his foundation would "continue his legacy".

The foundation's CEO Jill Douglas - a adjacent person of Weir's, added: "Doddie enjoyed a afloat beingness afloat of amusive and love.

"And it was this attack to beingness which shone done successful his determination to marque a quality and assistance others erstwhile helium was diagnosed with centrifugal neurone disease.

"Our imaginativeness of a satellite escaped of MND remains astatine the bosom of our strategy. As we look to the future, we volition honour Doddie's sanction and present connected his legacy."

The MND Association said Weir arsenic "an inspiration to many".

A connection issued by the foundation said: "We're atrocious to perceive that Doddie Weir OBE has died. Since sharing his MND diagnosis successful 2017, Doddie became an inspiration to many, raising consciousness and campaigning tirelessly connected behalf of those with MND.

"Our thoughts are with Doddie's woman Kathy, his 3 sons, household and friends."