Uriah Rennie, widely remembered as the Premier League's first Black referee, passed away on 8 June 2025 at the age of 65. His partner, Jayne, said Rennie would be sadly missed, while the family issued a statement, 'Our family have appreciated all the support from the nursing teams from Northern General and Weston Park Hospitals, plus close family and friends during the past few weeks at such a difficult time'.
In late 2024, while on holiday in Turkey, Rennie experienced severe back pain and was diagnosed with a rare, inoperable neurological condition that left him paralysed from the waist down. According to Spencer Morgan of the Daily Mail, this condition led to months of hospitalisation and rehabilitation. He slowly began regaining mobility, learning to stand with assistance and engage in physiotherapy. Despite his physical challenges, Rennie remained active in his roles and continued to inspire those around him.
