Big Daddy - Definition and Overview

Shirley Crabtree in his Big Daddy costume

This article is about the late Professional Wrestler, Big Daddy is also the title of a 1999 movie starring Adam Sandler.

Shirley Crabtree, better known as Big Daddy (November 30, 1930 – December 2, 1997) was an English wrestler. He was born in Halifax, England. After stints as a miner and in the army he followed his father and became a professional wrestler in 1952. He won both the BWF British and European heavyweight titles in 1960 but quit in 1963.

With the rising popularity of the spectacle on television (World of Sport on ITV) he returned to wrestling with All Star Promotions and took on the Big Daddy persona in 1976. Weighing around 170 kg (375 lb) his trademarks were "belly butts" followed by a "belly splash", his weight and age precluding many other moves. Playing the "good guy" his chief rival was Giant Haystacks. In August 1987, fellow wrestler Malcolm King died after a splash, Big Daddy was so devastated by the accident that he retired from wrestling.

Crabtree suffered a stroke in 1993 and suffered from failing health. He died of a heart attack in 1997.