Adam Hills – from PDRL to black tie at the Baftas

Comedian, writer, broadcaster and rugby league player Adam Hills will swap boots and muddy kit for black tie and polished shoes on Sunday as he heads straight from playing for Warrington Wolves PDRL team in Wakefield to the BAFTA TV awards ceremony in London.

The Last Leg, presented by Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe, is shortlisted in the Comedy Entertainment Programme category.

Adam, who has been at the forefront of the rapid growth of Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) in England, will get ready for the prestigious awards in the less than glamorous surroundings of the train from Wakefield to London.

Two games of PDRL with his Warrington Wolves teammates may be unusual preparation for a national awards ceremony – but being a rugby league player is a huge part of Adam’s life. And he’s looking forward to another high-profile appearance at Anfield later this month, with the Wolves facing Leeds Rhinos as part of Super League’s Dacia Magic Weekend.

“We are all champing at the prosthetic bit for the new PDRL season to start,” said Hills. “It’s hard to believe that the first ever PDRL game was just over a year ago – and since then we’ve seen a viable competition form. With our Wolves team beating the South Sydney Rabbitohs PDRL team in the Club Challenge in Sydney as well, PDRL is going from strength to strength.
“The game between Leeds and Warrington at Magic Weekend will be huge – and I can’t wait to claim some revenge on Alex Brooker for the last time we played each other. I also want as many people as possible to experience PDRL in 2019. Everyone is welcome to come to our festivals, soak up the atmosphere, and become addicted to watching PDRL. Even if you’ve never watched Rugby League before, I guarantee you’ll love it.”

Wakefield Trinity host the first PDRL Festival of 2019 this Sunday 12 May at community club Eastmoor Dragons, where six teams – from Warrington Wolves, Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity, Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Castleford Tigers – will play two games each.

Then, after a break for the Baftas, Hills heads for PDRL’s big day at Anfield, where the Wolves play the Rhinos at half-time in the Betfred Super League game between Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants (KO at 4.30).

Fellow presenter of Channel 4’s The Last Leg, Alex Brooker, will play for Leeds Rhinos as he and Adam go head to head once more as they did in the inaugural PDRL fixture in February 2018.

As well as the thrill of Anfield, the teams will feature in the RFL Grand Day Out at Blackpool in September as part of an inclusive festival of different formats of the sport.

There’s plenty of action for fans to enjoy with PDRL festivals each month, culminating in a Grand Final Festival at Emerald Headingley on September 29.

Ralph Rimmer, CEO of he Rugby Football League, said:

“PDRL is unstoppable thanks to the brilliant work done through our Rugby League Foundations by staff and volunteers. We’re committed to supporting and promoting all formats of our brilliant sport – Rugby League is always for everyone. I encourage fans to get along to a PDRL Festival in 2019 and I wish all the players, coaches and volunteers the best of luck for a fantastic season – and also, good luck to Adam Hills and The Last Leg at the Baftas.”

Barrie McDermott, the former Great Britain prop forward, and Adam Hills are part of the Management Group overseeing the development of PDRL, with the Group chaired by businessman and volunteer John Welch. Sunday’s PDRL Festival (KO 1pm) hosted by Wakefield Trinity at Eastmoor sees each team play x2 shortened format matches, as follows: