Martin Austin Ruane, known to millions as Giant Haystacks, was one of the most recognisable figures in British professional wrestling. Standing well over six feet tall and weighing more than 30 stone, he drew crowds with his sheer size and a long-running feud against Big Daddy. Almost three decades after his death, fans still search for answers about his height, weight, family, and cause of death.
Born to Irish parents in south London, Haystacks became a staple of Saturday afternoon television on ITV’s World of Sport. His rivalry with Big Daddy turned both men into household names. Yet certain personal details, such as his net worth and a verified last photo, remain surprisingly elusive.
This article brings together the best available evidence from Wikipedia, wrestling heritage sites, news archives, and image libraries to provide a clear, fact-based portrait of the man behind the ring name.
Who Was Giant Haystacks?
- Giant Haystacks was one of the most recognizable British wrestlers, known for his immense size and feuds with Big Daddy.
- His real name was Martin Ruane; he adopted the ring name inspired by American wrestler Haystacks Calhoun.
- Despite being a household name, many personal details (net worth, exact cause of death) remain obscure or unconfirmed.
- The rivalry with Big Daddy defined an era of weekend television wrestling in the UK, drawing millions of viewers.
- Haystacks’ last public photo and family life are topics of recurring curiosity among fans.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) – varies by source |
| Weight | Approx. 30 stone (190 kg / 420 lbs) at peak |
| Debut | 1967 (as Luke McMasters) |
| Notable Feud | Big Daddy (Shirley Crabtree) |
| Cause of Death | Lymphoma – widely reported, confirmed by multiple sources |
| Net Worth (est.) | Not publicly documented; speculated under £1 million at death |
What was Giant Haystacks’ real name?
His birth name was Martin Austin Ruane, as recorded by Wikipedia, IMDb, and Famous Birthdays. He was born on 10 October 1946 in Camberwell, London, to parents of Irish descent. The ring name “Giant Haystacks” paid homage to the American wrestler Haystacks Calhoun, though the two were not related.
How old was Giant Haystacks when he died?
He passed away on 29 November 1998 in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, at the age of 52. The date is consistently reported across all major sources, including Wikipedia and wrestling databases.
Who were Giant Haystacks’ family members?
At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Rita and three sons. Multiple sources, including Wikipedia and Famous Birthdays, list Rita as his spouse. Further details about the children have not been widely publicised. For another look at a British entertainer, you can read about Martin Kemp – Biography, Age, Wife, Net Worth, and Career.
Who was Giant Haystacks’ wife?
His wife was named Rita. She is mentioned in obituaries and biographical entries, but little additional information about her life or career is available in the public record.
How Tall and Heavy Was Giant Haystacks?
How tall was Giant Haystacks?
According to Wikipedia and the Dead Wrestler Database, his billed height was 6 ft 11 in (211 cm). IMDb, however, lists a more conservative 6 ft 7½ in (2.02 m). Such discrepancies are common in professional wrestling, where promoters often exaggerate measurements for dramatic effect.
The difference between billed and actual height is not unusual for wrestlers of his era. Without a verified medical record, the most commonly accepted figure among historians is 6 ft 11 in, the height used during his peak years on ITV.
How much did Giant Haystacks weigh?
His billed weight was 685 lb (311 kg), according to Wikipedia. The heaviest documented weight reached 49 stone 13 lb (699 lb; 317 kg). These numbers place him among the heaviest wrestlers ever to perform in Britain.
Where can I find Giant Haystacks’ last photo?
A press photograph taken at his funeral shows family and friends carrying his coffin out of Our Lady of Dolours Roman Catholic Church in Kersal. That image, available on Alamy, is the clearest “last photo” type result currently known. No confirmed final portrait taken shortly before death has been identified in the public domain.
What Was the Rivalry Between Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy?
Who was Big Daddy wrestler?
Big Daddy was the ring name of Shirley Crabtree, a British heavyweight wrestler who became a cult figure in the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his glittering costumes and heroic persona, he was the perfect foil for the villainous Giant Haystacks.
Did Giant Haystacks ever wrestle Big Daddy?
Yes, they were originally a tag team in the early 1970s, both wrestling as heels. They later split and became bitter enemies. Their feud continued on and off until Big Daddy’s retirement in 1993, drawing high ratings for ITV’s World of Sport. A feature in the Sunday Post described the rivalry as defining an era of British television entertainment.
What was Giant Haystacks’ wrestling career like?
Haystacks debuted in 1967 under the name Luke McMasters. He soon adopted the Giant Haystacks persona and rose to become one of British wrestling’s biggest stars. He held both the European Heavyweight Championship and the British Heavyweight Championship in the UK. In Canada, he won the Stampede International Tag Team Championship, teaming with The Dynamite Kid (Tommy Billington). He also appeared in WCW under the name Loch Ness, competing at WCW Uncensored in 1996.
Was Giant Haystacks related to Haystacks Calhoun?
No. He initially borrowed the name “Haystacks Calhoun” as a tribute to the large American wrestler, but they were not related by blood. Martin Ruane’s Irish ancestry is well documented, while Calhoun was from Texas.
Did Giant Haystacks appear in any films?
He had a small role in the 1991 comedy film The Pope Must Die, starring Robbie Coltrane. He also made guest appearances on television shows, though his filmography is limited compared to his wrestling career.
The Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks feud is often credited with keeping professional wrestling on British television through the late 1980s. Their matches regularly attracted over five million viewers on Saturday afternoons, making them two of the most recognisable faces in the country.
How Did Giant Haystacks Die?
What was Giant Haystacks’ cause of death?
He died from lymphoma, a form of cancer, on 29 November 1998 at his home in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. Multiple sources, including Wikipedia and the Connaught Telegraph, confirm the diagnosis. He had been battling the disease for two years and was surrounded by family at the time of his death.
What is Giant Haystacks’ legacy in British wrestling?
Wrestling Heritage notes that Haystacks “is one of a handful of wrestlers who was known to practically all members of the general public irrespective of any interest in wrestling.” His combination of size, character work, and a legendary rivalry ensured his place in British popular culture. Even today, fans share old photographs and discuss his career online, keeping his memory alive.
What Were the Key Events in Giant Haystacks’ Life and Career?
- 1946 – Born Martin Austin Ruane in Camberwell, London, to Irish parents.
- 1967 – Wrestling debut as Luke McMasters; later billed as Haystacks Calhoun before settling on Giant Haystacks.
- 1970s–1980s – Peak of career on ITV’s World of Sport; legendary rivalry with Big Daddy draws massive TV audiences.
- 1996 – Appears at WCW Uncensored as Loch Ness.
- 1998 – Dies at age 52 from lymphoma at his home in Prestwich.
What Information About Giant Haystacks Is Certain and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Giant Haystacks was a British wrestler, real name Martin Ruane. | Exact net worth – no reliable records; figures are speculative. |
| He died in 1998 at age 52. | Cause of death – lymphoma is confirmed, but some earlier reports mentioned lung cancer; medical records not publicly released. |
| He was extremely tall and heavy (approx. 6’11”, 30 stone). | Last photo – the most recent known photograph is from his funeral; no definitive pre-death portrait is verified. |
Why Does Giant Haystacks Remain a Culturally Significant Figure in British Wrestling?
Haystacks’ career unfolded during the golden age of British televised wrestling, where he became a cultural icon despite not always being a champion. His size and persona made him the perfect villain opposite Big Daddy’s heroic character. That rivalry is widely credited with boosting television ratings and sustaining the popularity of professional wrestling in the UK until the late 1980s.
The enduring public interest in his personal details – net worth, last photo, cause of death – reflects a nostalgic curiosity about figures from that era. Much of his private life remains undocumented because he kept a relatively low profile outside the ring and because comprehensive archives from the period are scarce.
What Do the Sources Say About Giant Haystacks?
“a British professional wrestler of Irish parentage, best known by the ring name Giant Haystacks.”
“Haystacks is one of a handful of wrestlers who was known to practically all members of the general public irrespective of any interest in wrestling.”
“The rivalry between Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks defined an era of British wrestling and TV entertainment.”
What Is the Lasting Legacy of Giant Haystacks?
Giant Haystacks remains a touchstone of British wrestling nostalgia. His matches with Big Daddy are still discussed in wrestling forums and retrospectives, while new fans discover his work through online clips. Although financial records and a definitive last photograph may never surface, his place in popular culture is secure. For more profiles of British entertainment figures from the same era, you can read about Patsy Kensit – Biography, Marriages, Career and Latest News.
Frequently Asked Questions About Giant Haystacks
Was Giant Haystacks related to Haystacks Calhoun?
No. He initially used the name Haystacks Calhoun as a tribute to the American wrestler of that name, but they were not related.
Did Giant Haystacks ever beat Big Daddy?
Yes, he won several matches against Big Daddy, though the rivalry was carefully scripted to keep both characters strong. No official win/loss record is publicly available.
What was Giant Haystacks’ last match?
He wrestled sporadically into the early 1990s; his final recorded match was in 1998 shortly before his death.
How tall was Giant Haystacks in feet and inches?
He was billed at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), though some sources list 7 ft.
Did Giant Haystacks appear in any movies?
Yes, he had a small role in the 1991 film ‘The Pope Must Die’ and appeared on TV shows.
What was Giant Haystacks’ net worth?
No reliable records exist; online estimates are speculative. Most suggest it was under £1 million at the time of his death.
How did Giant Haystacks die?
He died from lymphoma after a two-year battle, surrounded by his family at his home in Prestwich.
What were Giant Haystacks’ ring names?
He also wrestled as Loch Ness in WCW and as Luke McMasters early in his career.
Who was Giant Haystacks’ wife?
His wife was named Rita. They had three sons together.
Where can I see a photo of Giant Haystacks?
Getty Images has an archive of historical photos. A funeral photo is available on Alamy.
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Lucy Hartley covers the economy, business, markets and consumer affairs for Current UK readers.