Welsh wrestling icon Adrian Street has died at the age of 82, his family has confirmed.
The wrestler’s death was announced on Monday (July 31) following his stay at Cwmbran’s Grange University Hospital.
He recently underwent brain surgery.
The sporting figure became famous in the 1970s and ’80s for his flamboyant appearance and courageous fighting style.
In fact, he had more than 12,000 fights throughout his career.
Most famously, in 1971 he beat Jimmy Savile in the ring, quite literally leaving him black and blue.
Reflecting on the fight with the disgraced TV star, Street previously said: ‘The promoters were trying to put Savile across as a bit of a tough guy.
‘But I was having none of it. I kicked his legs from underneath him, then I picked him up by his hair, held him upside down and dropped him on his skull.’
He added: ‘Then when I looked down at my hands, I realised they were covered in hair – Savile’s. I’d torn huge clumps out of his scalp.’
Street had no idea about Savile’s horrific crimes at the time, but he did say Savile used to ‘boast about his conquests’.
‘Savile used to go on and on about the young girls who’d wait in line for him outside his dressing room,’ he shared.
‘He’d pick the ones he wanted and say to the rest, “Unlucky, come back again tomorrow night.’
‘Had I known then what I know about him now, I’d have given him an even bigger hiding.’
Street became known by wrestling fans as ‘the sadist in sequins’ and ‘the man fans love to hate’.
However, paying tribute to the late star, his wife Linda described the real person behind his wrestling persona as ‘the kindest, most loving man you could ever meet.’
Street moved to Canada and the US in the 1980s where he continued wrestling before settling down in Florida.
He later moved back to his home of Wales.
Testament to his popularity, a biopic was made about his life in 2019, titled You May Be Pretty, But Am Beautiful.
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