Saturday afternoon wrestling legend Jim ‘Cry Baby’ Breaks has died aged 83, can reveal.
Bradford born Jim was renowned for his famous ‘tantrums’ which earned him the nickname ‘Cry Baby’.
Jim’s death was initially announced on wrestling forums and later confirmed by his family, who said he had died on Christmas Day.
The cause of death has not been revealed but it was known he had been suffering from senile dementia and had spent the last few years of his life living in Gran Canaria.
In a post on Facebook The Original Southern Wrestlers Reunion Ltd revealed he had died and described him as ‘one of the most popular wrestlers on ITV’s World of Sport back in the day’.
Bradford born Jim Breaks was renowned for his famous ‘tantrums’ which earned him the nickname ‘Cry Baby’
Breaks died on Christmas Day, his family confirmed, after spending the last few years living in Gran Canaria
Jim won the British Welterweight Championship eight times and the British Lightweight Championship nine times during his 30 year career
The Saturday afternoon show regularly featured Jim’s bouts on its wrestling section and in its heyday was watched by millions.
The Original Southern Wrestlers Reunion Ltd added he was a ‘talented wrestler with a very impressive repertoire of manoeuvres’ which included his trademark ‘Jim Breaks Special’.
This would involve in true theatrical wrestling style, hamming up the drama as he twisted his opponent’s wrist and elbow before lifting him into the air and throwing them to the canvas.
On Facebook page British Wrestling Remembered tributes poured in for Jim, including from his granddaughter Jo Jo Channel who said: ‘My family and friends are going through a hard time as we sadly lost my grandad Christmas Day.
‘I appreciate all your lovely comments and love reading them.’
Jim won the British Welterweight Championship eight times and the British Lightweight Championship nine times during his 30 year career.
The Saturday afternoon show regularly featured Jim’s bouts on its wrestling section and in its heyday was watched by millions
After retiring to the Canary island, it was there in 2020 he was accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend Donna Cowley (pictured)
Prosecutors had demanded a 15-year jail sentence for the crime which happened following an argument in the apartment where Donna lived
The wrestler had a successful career with millions tuning in to watch him fight
After retiring to the Canary island, it was there in 2020 he was accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend Donna Cowley, 47, after fatally pouncing her three years earlier but a court ruled him ‘unfit’ to stand trial.
Judge Emilio Moya ruled he should be sent to a psychiatric hospital, after reading medical reports on him which said he would ‘not be able to understand the object and scope of his trail’.
Prosecutors had demanded a 15-year jail sentence for the crime which happened following an argument in the apartment where Donna lived.
He was said to have smashed a cup over her head and he then fled the scene leaving her fatally injured.
Donna manged to call paramedics and they took her to hospital, but she died the following day.
The mother-of-two moved to Gran Canaria with Breaks in 1997 after working for him in a pub he owned in Bradford.