MEMORIES of legendary wrestler Bert Assirati, who topped the bill in wrestling matches at the Corn Exchange and whose grand nephew lives in Devizes, have been requested by the man who is writing his biography.

Mike Hallinan has been researching the career of the acrobat turned wrestler who was so successful that the Mafia tried to bribe him to take a fall when he fought in the United States. Having turned them down, Mr Assirati was obliged to be accompanied by a bodyguard for the rest of his life.

Assirati, who was 5ft 6in tall, weighed 20 stone and had a chest measurement of 56 inches, topped the bill at Devizes Corn Exchange before and after the Second World War. Mr Hallinan said that his name on the bill would always guarantee a full house in every town he visited.

Mr Assirati's great nephew Peter Assirati works for Sarsen Housing Association in Devizes and remembers the powerful physique of the champion wrestler, even in his later years. Peter Assirati said: "I used to go and see him when I was about eight years old. It was like being related to Daley Thompson. Everyone knew him.

"He came to live with my grandfather when he came over from Italy and granddad became his trainer. He was so strong he could bend an old penny with his fingers and could dead lift 800 pounds. He was a real gymnast and an incredibly strong bloke.

"Today he would be an international star but before the days of jet planes it was just impossible for him to leave his family for great lengths of time."

According to Mike Hallinan, Bert Assirati was born in Islington, north London, in 1908 and died at a Sussex hospital in August 1990 at the age of 82.

After a successful stage career as one half of the acrobatic duo Mello and Nello, which toured music halls and theatres in England, the continent and South America, he turned to professional wrestling in 1930.

In the ensuing years he went on to become the undefeated British and European heavyweight champion, remaining unbeaten for 21 years. Reigning world champions Jim Londos, Ed 'Stranger' Lewis, Steve Casey and Lou Thesz all refused to defend their titles against him.

Although never officially recognised as the world champion, he did win six open-to-the-world tournaments.

In a ring career spanning 30 years and some 6,000 wrestling matches the number of his defeats can be counted on the fingers of one hand. He also remained 'unpinned' in Britain for a record 21 years.

Mr Hallinan is anxious for any memorabilia about Bert Assirati and can be contacted at 15 Teignmouth Close, Edgware, London HA8 6BG, phone 020 8952 0566 or e-mail him on MikeHallinan2001@aol.com

His sight began to go at the end. Because wrestlers faces get rubbed into the canvas it does end up affecting their eyes.