Thomas 'Dynamite Kid' Billington has passed away on his 60th birthday (05.12.18)
The former wrestling star - who formed one-half of the British Bulldogs tag team - has struggled with various health issues over recent years and has also been confined to a wheelchair during the later years of his life
7 December 2018
Confirming news of Billington's death, wrestling trainer Marty Jones tweeted: "It's with great sadness I have to inform you all that The 'Dynamite Kid' Tom Billington on his birthday has passed away. A true British ambassador for wrestling worldwide. RIP 'Kid'. Condolences to Mark and his family. (sic)"
Billington was half of The British Bulldogs tag team alongside his cousin Davey Boy Smith, who died in 2002 at the age of just 39.
Smith's son, Davey Boy Smith Jr, has also confirmed the news via his own Twitter account.
He wrote: "It deeply saddens me to announce the passing of Tom Billington, the 'Dynamite Kid'. I was really happy and glad I got to see Dynamite one last time last June in the UK.
"Dynamite was certainly an inspiration to myself and many others and really revolutionized professional wrestling as we know it today.
"He flew high, and gave it his all every match. Thanks for everything and sad to have lost another family member. Rest in peace, Dyno. (sic)"
Billington first started wrestling at the age of 13 and after touring the UK during his teens, he headed to Calgary, Canada, when he was just 20 to follow his dreams.
There, he became a star with Stampede Wrestling before he made the switch to the WWF - which is now known as the WWE - in 1984.
He was one of the stars of the sport during its global boom in the 1980s.
The British star suffered a broken back in 1986, but defied doctors' expectations to continue his career, leaving the WWF amid a row about complementary plane tickets and wrestling in Canada and Japan until 1991.
However, Billington lost the use of his left leg in 1997, before suffering a series of heart problems and then a stroke in 2013.
© 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity
