When people talk about the golden era of British wrestling, two names tower above all others: Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks. These weren’t just wrestlers—they were household names, cultural figures, and the centrepiece of Saturday afternoon family entertainment on ITV’s World of Sport.
From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, millions tuned in every week to see these titans collide with other colourful characters of the British wrestling circuit. But when Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks were in the ring together, it was more than a wrestling match—it was a national event.
Their story is one of spectacle, rivalry, and enduring legacy. Together, they defined what British wrestling meant to a generation.
The Rise of Big Daddy
Big Daddy, born Shirley Crabtree Jr., was already wrestling in the 1950s, but it was under his “Big Daddy” persona in the 1970s that he truly found superstardom. With his bleached blonde hair, glittery outfits, and his booming “Easy! Easy!” chant, he became a hero to children and families across the UK.
Standing at 6’6” and weighing over 350 pounds, he wasn’t a technical master in the ring, but he didn’t need to be. Big Daddy’s appeal lay in his charisma, his sheer presence, and his ability to whip the crowd into a frenzy. His finishing move, the Big Daddy Splash, became one of the most recognisable moments in British wrestling, often leaving his opponents—and the crowd—flattened.
Enter Giant Haystacks
On the opposite side of the ring was Martin Ruane, better known as Giant Haystacks. At nearly 7 feet tall and weighing over 600 pounds, he was a terrifying sight. His gruff voice, wild appearance, and brooding menace made him the perfect villain to Big Daddy’s smiling hero.
Unlike Big Daddy’s showmanship, Haystacks leaned into being despised. He growled at the crowd, scowled at children, and dominated matches with his sheer size. To young fans, he was almost mythical—a monster who seemed impossible to beat.
Haystacks was the ultimate pantomime villain, and he relished the role. He made Big Daddy look vulnerable, which only heightened the drama of their eventual clashes.
The Rivalry That Defined an Era
The feud between Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks was more than wrestling—it was storytelling. Good versus evil. Hero versus monster. The people’s champion versus the unstoppable force.
Their matches were some of the most-watched moments of British wrestling history, with their 1981 showdown at Wembley Arena going down as their most famous. Billed as part of the Dale Martin Extravaganza, it was their only true one-on-one encounter, and it drew an electric atmosphere. Fans packed into the arena, while countless more followed on TV, waiting to see which giant would triumph.
It didn’t matter that the matches were often slow, with more spectacle than athleticism. What mattered was the drama—the sight of two enormous men colliding in front of a roaring crowd, with the nation watching from home.
Watch the classic 1981 clash here.
Wrestling as Saturday Tradition
For millions of Britons, Saturday afternoons meant sitting down with the family to watch World of Sport. Wrestling wasn’t niche—it was mainstream. Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks became as famous as footballers or pop stars, often appearing in newspapers, comic strips, and even children’s television.
Big Daddy was particularly loved by children, often making charity appearances and being celebrated as a gentle giant off-screen. Meanwhile, Giant Haystacks leaned into his frightening reputation, sometimes avoiding fan interactions to keep the illusion alive.
This era of wrestling was less about athletic competition and more about pantomime theatre, with Big Daddy and Haystacks playing their roles to perfection.
Behind the Curtain
Though they were fierce rivals in the ring, Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks shared mutual respect away from it. Both understood the importance of their feud to British wrestling’s popularity.
Big Daddy’s brother, Max Crabtree, was also one of Britain’s top promoters, ensuring Big Daddy often received the spotlight. Some wrestlers criticised him for overshadowing more technically skilled performers. Haystacks, despite his terrifying image, was known privately as a kind man, deeply religious, and devoted to his family. After wrestling, he even took up work as a Christian preacher.
The Cultural Impact
Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks transcended wrestling—they became part of British pop culture. Their names were recognised far beyond wrestling circles, and their matches were among the most-discussed events of the week.
The rivalry has often been compared to America’s Hulk Hogan versus André the Giant, but for British audiences, Big Daddy versus Giant Haystacks felt even bigger. It was home-grown entertainment, accessible and relatable, and it cemented wrestling as a family staple.
Legacy and Lasting Influence
By the late 1980s, British wrestling faded from mainstream TV, eventually being removed from World of Sport in 1988. The rise of the American WWF/WWE brought a glossier, global product that British promotions couldn’t compete with.
Big Daddy retired in the early 1990s and passed away in 1997. Giant Haystacks had a brief stint in WCW in the United States under the name “Loch Ness” in 1996 before illness forced him to retire; he died in 1998.
Yet their legacy endures. They remain the most recognisable names in British wrestling history, often cited by fans, wrestlers, and promoters alike as the faces of an era when wrestling was part of everyday British life.
Records That Still Stand
Giant Haystacks – One of the Heaviest Professional Wrestlers in History
- At over 600 lbs (272 kg), Haystacks remains one of the heaviest wrestlers ever to compete worldwide. No British wrestler has come close to matching his size.
Big Daddy – Britain’s Biggest Mainstream Wrestling Star
- To this day, no UK wrestler has reached Big Daddy’s household-name status. His “Easy! Easy!” chant and persona made him a national icon.
Highest-Ever TV Ratings for British Wrestling
- Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks drew over eight million viewers at its peak—figures modern UK wrestling has never matched.
First Major UK Super-Show at Wembley Arena
- Their 1981 clash at Wembley Arena remains one of the earliest major arena wrestling events in Britain, setting the standard for future supercards.
Longevity of a Rivalry
- More than 40 years on, Big Daddy and Haystacks’ feud is still spoken of as the definitive British wrestling rivalry—a record few rivalries in any country can claim.
Legends of the Ring
Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks weren’t just wrestlers—they were icons. They embodied the joy, theatre, and spectacle of a uniquely British form of entertainment. Their battles were about more than wins and losses; they were about storytelling, community, and the thrill of believing in heroes and villains.
Their names still evoke memories of packed town halls, roaring chants, and families gathered around the TV. They were the giants who made British wrestling larger than life, and their legend remains unshakable.
