Mike Tindall's rugby captain father dies aged 80

Rugby union World Cup winner Mike Tindall, who is married to the Princess Royal's daughter Zara, has announced the death his father aged 80.

Philip Tindall, who captained Otley Rugby Club from 1972-73, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2003, and his son has campaigned to raise funds for research into the condition.

Confirming his father's death on his podcast, the former England international said: "Unfortunately, my dad passed away last week," before going on to say a minute's silence was held in his father's honour at Otley Rugby Club at the weekend.

Tindall previously discussed the devastating effect the disease had on his father and praised his mother, Linda, for her care of her husband.

In 2021, he called his mother a "very stoic, northern lady, who refuses to give her man up", but said he was trying to persuade her to accept offers of support.

Tindall, 47, is patron of the charity Cure Parkinson's.

Parkinson's is a progressive disorder that affects the brain, nervous system, and muscle control.

According to Parkinson's UK, around 166,000 people live with the condition in the UK.

In the The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast episode, he described how his father, who had to retire from playing rugby at the age of 27, broke his leg the week before his wedding day and had to walk down the aisle in a cast.

Tindall said: "A big shout out to Otley Rugby Club.

"They played Chester on the weekend and they did a minute of silence to my dad who was captain in '72-'73.

"He got married in '69, broke his leg the week before, went down the aisle in a cast.

"I mean, it sort of all went wrong. He had to retire at 27.

"But thank you very much to Otley Rugby Club for that little moment.

"I got to watch it."

In a statement Otley RUFC said they were "deeply saddened" by the death of Tindall, describing him as a "talented fly-half and centre" who made his debut for the club in the 1963-64 season.

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