Daughter calls for Wigan-born wrestling legend British Bulldog to be honoured in hometown

Davey Boy Smith was one of the most recognisable stars in wrestling history, but he is yet to be honoured in Wigan

Calls have been made for the late British wrestling legend Davey Boy Smith to be honoured in his hometown.

The Wigan-born star, known to millions around the world by his ring name the British Bulldog, was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021. But now his daughter Georgia is campaigning for the wrestler to be acknowledged by Wigan Council.

Davey was one of the wrestling biggest stars in the 90s until his death in 2002 aged just 39, but his legacy is not honoured in the town where he was born and raised.

Georgia, 37, told the Daily Star: "When you think of famous people from Wigan, my dad is number one in my eyes for what he did on a global stage. I think it's only right he is recognised in his hometown. He's been recognised by the WWE in their hall of fame, but his family in the UK couldn't be there because it was during Covid."

Calgary-born Georgia has called on the council to honour Davey on its 'Walk of Fame', officially known as Believe Stars, which are given to notable local heroes, such as Lioness Ella Toone and Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson. But the authority said its walk of fame 'celebrates the contributions of living residents', meaning Davey is not eligible.

Georgia said: "It's ridiculous in my opinion. Hollywood has a walk of fame and they give out posthumous stars, do I don't understand why Wigan can't."

Davey previously featured in an exhibition at town's museum but Georgia said she had previously been in discussion with the council to ways of permanently celebrating his legacy. They include a blue plaque at his childhood house, but Georgia says she nominates her dad every year for one, only for him to denied.

She added: "At this point, I'd just like them to do something, rather than just ignoring him every year. What about a blue plaque on the house he was born in? I don't understand what the hesitation is with that. They're just very difficult."

Smith took up wrestling as a youngster in the north west of England when his dad, Sid, did some building work for legendary trainer Ted Betley. He then moved to Canada where he worked for Stu Hart's famous Stampede Wrestling. It was while in Canada that he met and married Stu's daughter Diana, Georgia's mum.

Regarded as one of the best British wrestlers of all-time, he became a national hero in his 90s heyday and marched to the ring draped in the Union Jack. He won the Intercontinental Championship, the European Championship twice, the Tag Team Championship twice, and the Hardcore Championship twice.

The muscle-bound star was also the winner of the Battle Royal at the Albert Hall special showcase in 1991. His crowning achievement came at Wembley Stadium in 1992 when he beat brother-in-law Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship in front of 82,000 fans.

And Georgia believes his tough northern upbringing in Wigan helped him become a huge superstar.

She said: "He was really proud to be from the UK, he was always dressed head to toe in the Union Jack in the ring, even with the braids in his hair when it was long. I think that northern toughness, that northern grit, was instilled in him and drove him on. That real nothern working class attitude and work ethic.

"He used that when he was training, if things were tough he would just have the attitude of 'I'm not going to quit'. People in those days wouldn't take any crap of anyone and he took that attitude into life. He had the attitude of 'I'm not going to let anything stand in the way of getting what I want'."

A council spokesman said: "Our walk of fame celebrates the contributions of living residents of Wigan Borough. While Davey Boy Smith does not meet the criteria to be considered for a star, there are alternative ways to commemorate his memory, which we are happy to discuss with the family."

You can sign Georgia's petition here.