The wrestling world is in mourning after the death of one of its greatest champions.

Bradford-born Eric Taylor, the former heavy middleweight champion of Britain, died on Friday aged 70 after suffering a heart attack.

Gentle giant Eric, of Queensbury, reigned undefeated as British champion between 1953 and 1976 and was famed around the world for his wrestling prowess - taking on the likes of Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks during the heyday of British wrestling.

The champion fighter's son, also called Eric, said his father had begun his career as a youngster at the Hill Top Wrestling Club, in Dudley Hill.

He said: "Wrestling was his life - he absolutely loved it.

"He started as an amateur when he was a teenager and took it from there. He trained as a butcher and even had a farm in Queensbury but the wrestling was always the most important thing. It was a way of life."

Eric was introduced to wrestling at an early age by his father Joe Taylor, also a famed wrestler, who represented Britain at the sport at both the 1932 and 1948 Olympics.

Eric's four sons, Stephen, David, Eric, and Joe, also followed in their father's footsteps by all becoming wrestlers.

David Taylor, 45, now wrestles in America in the glamorous WCW league.

Eric jnr, said: "In those days wrestling was huge. We used to fill St George's Hall and the Windsor Baths with people coming to see it. He wrestled all over the country and packed out places like the Albert Hall two nights running.

"He was a straight wrestler, he didn't have a gimmick like a lot of them had, but he was at the top and all the wrestlers respected him."

But despite his fearsome stature Eric said his father always had a gentle side.

He said: "He was a big man, over six feet tall, but he was a really easy going chap and I never saw him cross. He was a gentle giant. It was sad to lose him just before Christmas. We usually have a big family Christmas and this has knocked us back a bit."

Eric leaves a widow Lily and four sons. His funeral will be held tomorrow at West End Methodist Church, Queensbury, and is expected to be attended by figures from the wrestling world.