Mick McManus, one of the top stars of wrestling in the 1960s and 1970s, has died aged 93.

McManus headlined big shows against rival Jackie Pallo in an era when millions watched the sport on television.

The wrestler, who had a number of nicknames including "The Man You Love To Hate", made more TV appearances than any other wrestler in a career which spanned more than 20 years.

Wrestling was hugely popular in the early 1960s and late 1970s because the sport had a regular 40-minute slot before the Saturday afternoon football results on ITV.

McManus' death was confirmed by Frank Rimmer, the organiser of the annual British Wrestlers Reunion.

Mr Rimmer said McManus had had a visit from Lord Attenborough in his last few months, but had been unwell for a while.

He said: "I am deeply saddened to announce the death of the legend that was Mick McManus, who passed away at 1am this morning.

"Mick never recovered from the loss of his beloved wife Barbara, and lost the will to live, despite the loving care of the nurses at the celebrity home for retired actors, Brishing House, where he lived out his final days.

"Even the arrival of his old friend Lord Richard Attenborough ... failed to lift his spirits, refusing all food and drink until he quietly slipped into a coma three days ago.

"Mick McManus was without doubt, through his own efforts, the greatest wrestling name that the UK has ever seen or will see again.

"Even 25 years after his retirement, he retained his aura of stardom until the end. Funeral details will be posted shortly, and full obituaries will follow on the main wrestling sites."

Reports of his age varied. Although he was 93 at his death, the entertainment professional had been widely reported to have been eight years younger.

He grew up in New Cross in southeast London and was also known as "The Dulwich Destroyer".

McManus started to wrestle in 1947 and in the sport's heyday in the 1960s, became notorious for pushing the rules to the limit.

According to The Independent, he became famous for his trademark black trunks and cropped black hair and for his catchphrase "Not the ears, not the ears".

He won the European Middleweight Championship in 1968 defeating Vic Faulkner, but lost it before winning it back in 1971. He then held the title twice more in the next seven years. He also held the British Middleweight and Welterweight titles.

But it was for his televised bouts with Jackie Pallo, which were seen by millions, that he was best known. Pallo later revealed in his tell-all autobiography that the fights were completely choreographed.

His fame was such that he was said to have been an influence on the work of British pop artist Peter Blake.

After retiring, he settled into a quiet life as a public relations officer for an American telecommunications company.

RIP Mick.