Wrestling is coming back to prime time ITV – with a York man in the ring!

Greetings grapple fans – we have some gripping news for you!

World Of Sport Wrestling is coming back. Not only that, a York man is right in the thick of things.

One of the greatest shows in the history of British television, the wrestling was much-watch TV every Saturday. Now ITV has supercharged it for a 21st century audience, and given it a prime Saturday teatime slot.

And the man they have chosen to MC the show is Phil Seymour.

YorkMix readers will remember Phil as the man who went from being stadium announcer for York City Knights to MCing a boxing world title fight within five years.

And now he’s starring on ITV…

‘Incredibly excited’

Phil was asked to MC a pilot version of WOS Wrestling, which aired on New Year’s Eve 2016.

There was talk of a series – but then it went quiet until earlier this year when the father-of-two got the call. He told us:

• We filmed the series a couple of months ago, so all ten episodes are already filmed and ready to air.

  I was incredibly excited to get the gig! I watched World of Sport wrestling all through my childhood, I grew up watching Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and the rest, so when I was asked to MC the pilot show 18 months ago I was blown away.

He said the wrestlers – including Martin Kirby from Thirsk and Nathan Cruz from Hull, treated him like an old friend.

“They’re a great bunch, so hard working and a lot of fun. We filmed for three days solid and never stopped laughing!”

‘Proper family entertainment’

Phil, a father of two who was born and brought up in York, said his role in the show had people talking.

• My friends and family seem pretty proud. We had to keep quiet about it until recently when I was told we were allowed to talk about it, so it’s been a bit odd, but a lot of my friends are really excited to see it

  Like me, they grew up with it on ITV and this is a chance for them and their kids to enjoy it together. It’s proper family entertainment.

He added: “To get to work on a full series was a real dream come true, it was amazing fun and I really can’t wait for everyone to see what the team have produced, it’ll be really special.”