Let’s get Grado to rumble
Comedy star follows in steps of wrestling giants with new Saturday show
AS THE chip-eating cop in Scot Squad and the dour neighbour in Two Doors Down, Grado has been a comedy hit north of the Border.
But he’ll soon be grappling with getting recognised by fans across the UK as the breakout star of WOS Wrestling, which returns to ITV on Saturday for the first time since 1985.
It’s a lifelong dream for Grado – real name Graeme Stevely – who became an overnight sensation in 2014 on BBC documentary Insane Fight Club, about the then littleknown Scottish wrestling circuit.
He and other Scots who made their name with Glasgow’s Insane Championship Wrestling – Lionheart, Kay Lee Ray, Viper and Joe Hendry – are leading the way as the sport returns to national TV.
Former Record columnist Grado, 30, said: “This is what we all dreamt of through the years of performing in town halls and village fairs. The whole of the UK needs to see this.
“I have been wrestling since I was a teenager, up and down the UK, performing in front of crowds that have got bigger each year.
“British wrestling is going through a boom period, the whole world is watching.”
Wrestling was a mainstay of World of Sport from 1965 until 1985.
Originally presented by Eamonn Andrews, WOS was ITV’s rival to BBC’s Grandstand. Their wrestling coverage made huge stars of Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and Mick McManus in the 80s.
After the success of a Hogmanay 2016 show, ITV hope WOS Wrestling will put the British scene on the global map.
If it does, it will be down to Grado, who is already being hailed as this generation’s Big Daddy.
The programme starts with a stand-off between Grado, currently WOS Wrestling champion, and show executive Stu Bennett, who doesn’t think the Scot gives the sport a good name.
He sets up a five-man elimination match, with the winner taking on Grado for his WOS heavyweight championship belt.
The grappler, from Stevenston, Ayrshire, loves the banter. He said: “There is no one else like me. I dance my way to the ring, a ton of fun and then the bell rings. If you’re bigger than me, I’ll try to poke your eyes, stamp on your toes or do everything I can to sneak a victory.
“I’ll use any body part as a weapon, from my hands to my belly.”
As well as wearing the usual lycra, Grado accessorises it with a bumbag as he heads to the ring.
He said: “I carry everything in there – passport, travellers cheques, chewing gum, bookie pens, vouchers and other bits of magic I don’t want to give away.
“I don’t let any other wrestler near my bumbag.”
While many of the wrestlers are gym-bunny buff or built like tanks, Grado doesn’t work out and his fitness regime involves walking the dog.
But he does have a ritual before each match. He revealed: “I do 10 push-ups and 10 squats and then I touch my toes. I have to do this before every bout.”
The rest of the UK, get ready for Grado. He’s the Daddy now. WOS Wrestling, Saturday, STV at 5pm.