Police investigate wrestler's death

Millions of fans watched the British Bulldog on TV

Police in Manchester have launched an investigation into the death of a local wrestler durin a trip to Canada.

Davey Boy Smith - better known to television wrestling fans and the British Bulldog - died on holiday aged 39.

He was initially thought to have suffered a heart attack after collapsing in British Columbia on 18 May.

But police in Greater Manchester started an investigation after his father raised concerns about the circumstances of his death.

As a result of concerns raised by the family we are conducting preliminary inquiries into Mr Smith's death

Greater Manchester Police

Mr Smith, who lived in Calgary, was on holiday with his 42-year-old girlfriend Andrea Hart, when he collapsed.

But Sid Smith of Golborne, Greater Manchester, says he became concerned after speaking to his grandchildren, Georgia, 13, and Harry, 15 - the wrestler's children by his ex-wife, Diana.

He said: "I believe something serious has happened. Somebody has been telling lies. I want to get to the truth."

His son's body was flown back to Britain for the fresh post-mortem examination.

The results are due to be released on Wednesday.

Television exploits

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "As a result of concerns raised by the family and at the request of the coroner, we are conducting preliminary inquiries into the circumstances of Mr Smith's death."

Mr Smith was on the verge of a comeback with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) - formerly the World Wrestling Federation - at the time of his death.

Millions of youngsters followed the father-of-two's television exploits in the 1980s and early 1990s.

In 1998 he suffered a freak fall which left him with a spinal infection and it was feared he would never fight again.