Les Kellett

1915 (age 87)

Laisterdyke, Bradford, West

Kellett worked in the merchant navy as an engineer and was demobbed in Manchester where a meeting with Joe Hill led him to consider life as a professional wrestler. During the 1950s he earned between £40 and £50 and was fighting five to six times a week all over the country. In the 1960s Kellet was nominated for the Independent Television Sports Personality of the Year and was presented to Prince Philip at the Royal Albert Hall in the 1970s. In the 1970s, he could regularly be seen on Independent Television"s Saturday afternoon sports show-case, World of Sport. Although well known for his comic antics he was widely respected and feared, in equal measure, by his fellow professionals and was regarded as one of the toughest opponents in the sport. One of his standard tactics was to appear punch-drunk and almost defeated in a match, before suddenly recovering his ability and delivering the decisive move. On two acres behind the house Kellett sometimes bred pigs and once said he kept fifty head of cattle. Although not seen in televised action after the 1970s, he is still fondly remembered as one of its most endearing characters. Jimmy Savile Harvey Smith Finishing moves Boston crab Spinning toe hold Signature moves Legal drop armbreaker Tornado armbreaker.

Les Kellett

Edit Profile

amateur wrestler

Background

He was born in Laisterdyke, Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, the son of Bill Kellett, a Bradford engineer, and Sarah Kellett.

Career

Kellett worked in the merchant navy as an engineer and was demobbed in Manchester where a meeting with Joe Hill led him to consider life as a professional wrestler. During the 1950s he earned between £40 and £50 and was fighting five to six times a week all over the country. In the 1960s Kellet was nominated for the Independent Television Sports Personality of the Year and was presented to Prince Philip at the Royal Albert Hall in the 1970s.

In the 1970s, he could regularly be seen on Independent Television"s Saturday afternoon sports show-case, World of Sport.

Although well known for his comic antics he was widely respected and feared, in equal measure, by his fellow professionals and was regarded as one of the toughest opponents in the sport. One of his standard tactics was to appear punch-drunk and almost defeated in a match, before suddenly recovering his ability and delivering the decisive move.

On two acres behind the house Kellett sometimes bred pigs and once said he kept fifty head of cattle. Although not seen in televised action after the 1970s, he is still fondly remembered as one of its most endearing characters.

Jimmy Savile

Harvey Smith

Finishing moves

Boston crab

Spinning toe hold

Signature moves

Legal drop armbreaker

Tornado armbreaker.

Main Photo

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Connections

Les Kellett

Background

Career

Born

Died

Nationality