Former Cleckheaton wrestler Dies who faced legends Big Daddy Giant Haystacks dies on granddaughter’s wedding day

Family man Fazal Ilahi, a father-of-seven with more than 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away on the morning of his granddaughter’s wedding day.

The 87-year-old was suffering from mesothelioma, an incurable and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure which is thought to date back to his work as a spinner and weaver some decades before.

His youngest daughter Hafsa Begum, 40, said: “We were all so shocked and devastated to lose dad so suddenly. The wedding was postponed. We just didn’t realise it would be so quick.

“He was brave to the end but to see him deteriorate like that was just horrible.

“We all miss him terribly and his death has had a huge impact on everyone. Not just our family but the wider community.”

Fazal, who was born in Pakistan, moved to the UK in the 1950s and settled in Bradford.

In 1959 he worked at British Belting and Asbestos in nearby Cleckheaton as a spinner and weaver of asbestos cloths. But in his spare time he took up wrestling as a hobby in his mid-20s. Through his wide social circle he was introduced to sporting heavyweights Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks before taking them on in the ring.

Hasfa added: “He was very active, not just with wrestling but he would walk for miles as well.

Once the family began to grow he became more involved with the wider community and the local mosque. He did a lot of charity work and helped orphans and homeless back in Pakistan and here in Bradford.

“We lost my elder brother 20 years ago to cancer and that left a huge gap in the family. Dad took everyone under his wing and each and every one of us had a special place in his heart.

“It breaks my heart that dad was simply trying to make an honest living but had no idea of the danger he was in.”

Emma Newman, a specialist asbestos lawyer at Slater and Gordon who is representing the family, added: “The dangers of asbestos were widely known for many years but it continued to be manufactured and used by many employers, putting scores of workers like Fazal at risk.

“His family simply want to find out the truth and hold those responsible to account. That’s why we are keen to hear from anyone who worked alongside him at British Belting and Asbestos to provide further evidence.”