News, Manchester
Getty ImagesThe daughter of wrestling legend British Bulldog has called for a tribute to be built in honour of her father in his hometown.
Wigan-born Davey Boy Smith was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020 after making his debut in 1984 and going on to gain international acclaim, also being named WWF’s fist European champion in 1997.
His daughter Georgia, who lives in Florida, said she had contacted Wigan Council to request the authority build a tribute to her father – who died in 2002 – in the town.
She told Radio Manchester: “We did the WWE Hall of Fame for him here in Tampa, so I thought he should be honoured in some capacity in his hometown.”
Ms Smith added: “My dad took such pride in where he lived and where he grew up.
“He dressed up from head to toe in red, white and blue and represented the UK.”
Davey Boy Smith, who also competed in WCW, was initially fought as part of a WWF tag team with his cousin Thomas Billington, also known as “The Dynamite Kid”.
The pair split in 1990 when Smith returned to the WWE, where he became a major singles star and won the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam 1992.
Ms Smith said she and her brother had spent “months at a time” in the UK with their father while he was on tour in the mid-1990s.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see him a lot growing up because he was always gone, always busy on the road,” Ms Smith said.
“But then later on in his career and his life he had some downtime and I got to spend time with him and learn more about him.”
Council in talks
Recalling what it was like growing up with such a famous father, Ms Smith said: “The kids in my class would be like, ‘oh my god, that’s your dad?’ when he would come to pick us up.”
She added: “We went to Disney World with him and the Mickey Mouse there asked for his autograph.”
Wigan Council has a “Walk of Fame” which features stars dedicated to living past and present residents of the borough, including actor Ian McKellen and Rugby League star Billy Boston MBE.
A council spokesperson said: “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.”
