WRESTLING fans around the world have been shocked by the sudden death of Leigh-born hero Davey Boy Smith.

The 20-stone star, who thrilled millions of World Wrestling Federation fans, is believed to have suffered a heart attack or choked to death while on holiday in Canada.

Davey had been with his girlfriend and her five children when he collapsed at the resort of Invermere on Saturday. He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

His father, Sid, aged 63, who still lives in Golborne, said: "He started wrestling when he was 10. It was his life. He was so fit and strong. He never smoked and hardly drank."

Only three years ago Davey, known as The British Bulldog, was told by doctors that he would never walk again after breaking his back in the ring and suffering a spinal infection.

But just three months after coming out of hospital he was back in the gym, and a year later he signed a multi-million dollar deal to fight for the WWF -- now known as the Wrestling World of Entertainment.

Despite winning a European championship on his return to the ring, just months later Davey was admitted to a rehabilitation clinic for an addiction to painkillers. And there were further spells in hospital for treatment to an infected shoulder and pneumonia.

A low point was reached 18 months ago when Davey was arrested twice by police for allegedly making threats to kill his estranged wife, Diana Hart-Smith.

Davey was a wrestling fan from his early days growing up in Golborne. The former delivery boy fought his first professional match at the age of just 15 and emigrated to Calgary in Canada at 17, where he won fame and fortune as The British Bulldog.

A high point of his career came seven years ago when, in front of crowds of 83,000 at Wembley, he beat brother-in-law Bret Hart. His flag was carried into the ring by future boxing champion Lennox Lewis.

The father-of-two was followed by millions of adoring young fans on TV in the 1980s and 1990s and lived a millionaire lifestyle in a mansion in Florida with his wife and children Harry, aged 15, and Georgia, aged 12.

The couple then divorced and Davey set up home with girlfriend Andrea Hart.