British wrestler Mick McManus has passed away at the age of 93, the British Wrestlers Reunion has announced.

McManus was one of the biggest names to have ever graced the ring, and he revelled in the role of being the person everyone loved to hate.

Frank Rimer, who runs the British Wrestlers Reunion, announced today that McManus had died in the early hours of this morning.

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Rimer 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 the 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 recently, failed to lift his spirits, refusing all food and drink until he quietly slipped into a coma three days ago.

“Mick was without doubt, through his own efforts, the greatest wrestling name that the UK has ever seen or will see again, and even 25 years after his retirement, he retained his aura of stardom until the end.”

TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp led the way with tributes, with current star Marty Scurll posting: “RIP Mick McManus, the greatest British wrestling villain in history.

“I was fortunate enough to meet Mick a few times. True gent. Sad day.”

McManus was known for his trademark black trunks and cropped black hair, and made the catchphrase “not the ears, not the ears” his own. He went by the names of “The Man You Love To Hate” and Rugged South London Tough Guy”, which summed up his hard-man persona throughout his career.

He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame last year, joining the likes of André the Giant, Gorgeous George, Billy Graham, Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon, Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes and Randy Savage.