MILLIONAIRE former wrestler and antiques entrepreneur Peter Ginsberg has died suddenly of a suspected heart attack.

A post-mortem was carried out yesterday (Wednesday) after Peter, who lived on Butley Lanes, Prestbury, was rushed to hospital late on Monday night.

The 65-year-old became ill after turning in for the night with his wife Pauline.

She said: "It was very sudden, and he will be sorely missed by many people.

"He wasn't just popular, he was larger than life. He was very, very outgoing, generous and would talk to anybody."

Peter, who leaves behind children Adam, 17, and Beth, 15, went from rags to riches in a colourful career.

He started his fighting career as a bare knuckle battler and eventually tasted fame as a wrestler in the sixties. But not before he served in the Navy, where he was known as a strong athlete.

He later became a popular community figure in Prestbury as the owner of Prestbury Antiques - which led to regular appearances on local radio, and preceded him conceiving Churchill's, the huge antiques emporium on Macclesfield's Union Street.

Andy Blackman, who works at Churchill's and has known Peter for 30 years, said: "Peter will be sorely missed.

"He was a real character, and was well loved. Everybody that comes in the mill knows him."

Peter's funeral will be held on Tuesday at St Peter's Church, Prestbury, where he and Pauline were married in 1989.

Pauline added: "He would love a huge funeral. He always liked to be centre-stage."