Adam Hills recalls emotional moment he realised his ‘boyhood dream’ of playing rugby at international level despite being born with one foot

Adam Hills recalls emotional moment he realised his ‘boyhood dream’ of playing rugby at international level despite being born with one foot

By Owen Tonks For Mailonline

Published: 20:38 BST, 5 August 2023 | Updated: 20:57 BST, 5 August 2023

Adam Hills has spoken of the emotional moment he realised his dream of playing rugby at international level despite being born with only one foot.

The Australian comedian, 53, was born without a right foot and wears a prosthetic in order to play, having started a Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) team in Warrington, Cheshire.

Host of The Last Leg – and Rugby League fanatic – Adam is set to tell his story on Channel 4 documentary Adam Hills: Grow Another Foot on Friday 11 August after emulating his sporting heroes by playing for Australia in the first ever Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup which took place in the UK last year.

Funnyman Adam, who presents Rugby League coverage for Channel 4 and is an ambassador for the Rugby League World Cup, also trains weekly with his Warrington team.

He told the The Sun: ‘When I was a kid, the idea of playing in a Rugby League World Cup was pretty much impossible. Now I’m actually going to get my chance. 

Dream come true: Adam Hills, 53, has spoken of the emotional moment he realised his dream of playing rugby at international level despite being born with only one foot

‘I don’t know how I became Mr Rugby League! I’ve put my comedy career on hold. I turn down massive gigs because it’s on training nights. Everyone around me can see how obsessed I am by it.

‘When PDRL began, the dream was to see it at the World Cup because that would take the sport to a new level.

‘It’s kind of hilarious that this all started with a few blokes in Warrington running around and playing Rugby League.’

Adam describes PDRL as ‘fast, brutal and borderline unhinged’, admitting he’s been knocked out, fractured his ankle, torn a hamstring and damaged a ligament while playing.

The star also has a compression fracture in one of his discs which may be the early onset of osteoporosis. 

Adam previously said in a statement of his documentary: ‘I’ve loved Rugby League ever since I was a kid, but the thought of playing it at an international level seemed impossible. 

‘So when the opportunity came to take part in the first ever Physical Disability World Cup, I jumped at it with one foot and a prosthesis. 

‘I played the game I love, made mates for life, and had the experience of a lifetime. 

Sporty: The Australian comedian, who was born without a right foot and wears a prosthetic in order to play, competes in the Physical Disability Rugby League

‘I grew another foot, and I can’t wait for people to see the hits, the laughs and the characters of Physical Disability Rugby League.’

After playing for Australia in October last year, Adam said: ‘I’m not surprised that we’ve had a PDRL World Cup, I’m surprised at how well attended, how well covered, how well broadcasted it is. I didn’t expect it to be this big. I never thought I would represent Australia, never thought I would pull on the green and gold.

‘It’s given me a chance to fulfil a boyhood dream and it’s given what, however many, 40, 60 contestants, 80 I think rugby league players the chance to represent their country. So it’s been massive.’

Adam Hills: Grow Another Foot airs on Channel 4 on Friday 11 August at 11.05pm. 

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