Wrestler had enlarged heart

Davey Boy Smith died suddenly whilst on holiday

A wrestler who died suddenly was suffering from an enlarged heart, an inquest has been told.

Davey Boy Smith died in May last year while he was on holiday in British Columbia, Canada.

Mr Smith, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was known as The British Bulldog and he had attracted worldwide acclaim for his wrestling success.

On Friday the inquest heard his death was not suspicious, although Smith's father told the hearing he believes it was not an accident.

Sid Smith told the hearing: "I think someone was responsible for his death and I felt that from the beginning and still do."

Forensic tests

Mr Smith, a 39-year-old father-of-two had been living in Calgary, Canada at the time of his death, and was on holiday with his girlfriend.

The hour-long inquest heard evidence from a forensic scientist and a Home Office pathologist.

They both carried out tests on Mr Smith's body after he was flown back from Canada, and concluded his death was not suspicious.

Comeback bid

Jennifer Leeming, coroner for Greater Manchester West, recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.

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

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