Mick McManus dies aged 93 Legendary wrestler died this morning At the peak of his popularity 20 million people watched his bouts Despite his 'The Man You Love To Hate' moniker, he was well-loved British wresting legend Mick McManus, who at the height of his career was watched by millions, died this morning at the age of 93. In the 1960s and 1970s he was one of the top wrestlers in the incredibly popular sport, which was shown on ITV before the Saturday afternoon football results, and was known for his fierce rivalry with Jackie 'Mr TV' Pallo. Known as 'The Man You Love To Hate', he was one of the greatest villains in wrestling and is also remembered for his tag team partnership with Steve Logan. Star: Beloved wrestler Mick McManus, pictured with legendary comedian Tommy Cooper (on the mat), died this morning at the age of 93 Frank Rimer, the organiser of the annual British Wrestlers Reunion, confirmed the sad news today and said he had been ill for a while. He said: 'Mick McManus was a national icon and the biggest wrestling name that the UK has ever had or will have again, appearing on ITV more times than any other wrestler. Together with his tag partner, the late Steve Logan, they became the scourge of the country with their villainous antics and in 1962 his feud with the great Jackie Pallo drew over 20 million viewers. McManus (left) meets Prince Philip at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Also pictured are Steve Logan (second from left) and Jackie Pallo (centre) Double trouble: Steve Logan and Mick McManus formed a tag team duo McManus engages Catweazle in a headlock in a 1975 bout. He was known as a villain who constantly bent the rules of the ring Villain: The BBC's Phil McNulty tweeted that McManus's career was 'played out to sound of old ladies' umbrellas banging angrily on the ring apron' He added: 'This led to many other TV appearances, films and advertisements, giving him a national status second to none. He was a true legend of the wrestling business who retained his credibility and aura of stardom from when he first started his professional career in 1948 right until his death this morning. Submission: McManus in action against wrestler Catweazle 'The mark of his enduring fame is that 30 years after his retirement from the ring, Mick McManus remains a household name and ironically his catchphrase 'The Man They Love to Hate' became 'The Man They Loved.' Such was his popularity that he counted The Beatles, former Prime Minister Sir John Major and even the Duke of Edinburgh among his friends, said Mr Rimer. He grew up in New Cross and south east London and was also known as 'The Dulwich Destroyer', according to Sky News. Outside of the ring he was a Conservative party activist who, along with his late wife, Barbara, raised funds for the Tories. He also supported a number of charities, sitting on many boards including the Lord's Taverners, alongside Sir Richard Attenborough, who recently visited him after he became unwell. After he quit the ring he continued to work at ITV in a sporting advisory capacity and trained up and coming wrestlers. Recently, a campaign to obtain him an OBE had been underway. WWE star Sheamus tweeted a tribute: 'RIP Mick McManus a wrestling legend' There is a famous anecdote that he was too stunned to respond when he met Princess Anne and she said: 'I didn't recognise you with your clothes on.' British pop artist Peter Blake admired Mr McManus and cites him as a major influence on his 'wrestlers' series of paintings. Ex-wrestler Mick McManus in a publicity shot with members of the United Wrestling Association