Lionheart death: IWC champion Adrian McCallum dies aged 36 after leaving haunting message online
British wrestling champion Adrian McCallum - known by his ring name Lionheart - has died at the age of 36 after leaving a haunting message online.
The reigning Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) world heavyweight champion, tweeted a quote from Ricky Gervais’ Afterlife series on Wednesday morning.
“One day you will eat your last meal, You will smell your last flower, you will hug your friend for the last time. You might not know it's the last time, that's why you must do everything you love with passion,” he wrote.
His death was confirmed by Scotland-based ICW on Wednesday evening.
“One day you will eat your last meal,
You will smell your last flower, you will hug your friend for the last time. You might not know it's the last time, that's why you must do everything you love with passion” #Afterlife @rickygervais— Lionheart (@LionheartUK)
"We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of ICW World Heavyweight Champion, Adrian 'Lionheart' McCallum," ICW said in a statement.
"Adrian was a mainstay of ICW and British professional wrestling. Most importantly, he was our friend. His passing leaves a huge hole in the lives of those who knew him."
We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of ICW World Heavyweight Champion, Adrian ‘Lionheart’ McCallum. Adrian was a mainstay of ICW and British professional wrestling. Most importantly, he was our friend. His passing leaves a huge hole in the lives of those who knew him. pic.twitter.com/qmjnZTb5Lb
— ICW (@InsaneChampWres)
No further details about McCallum's death have been released.
McCallum also competed for WWE and TNA during his career.
High-profile figures in the wrestling community paid tribute to the Scot after the news was announced.
WWE wrestler Cedric Alexander said he was "crushed" to hear of McCallum's death, while fellow WWE star Paige - real name Saraya-Jade Bevis - said she would be "forever grateful" to have known him.
I'm crushed to hear the passing of Adrian ‘Lionheart’ McCallum. I may not have known him very well but he was one of the first people to welcome me with open arms when I took my first tour to the U.K. #RIPLionheart
— Cedric Alexander (@CedricAlexander)
Pete Dunne, the longest-reigning WWE UK champion, tweeted: "I always looked up to Lionheart's professional approach to wrestling when it was far from that at the time. People like him were pivotal in the growth of a scene that has lead to so many people being able to do this for a living."
I always looked up to Lionheart’s professional approach to wrestling when it was far from that at the time. People like him were pivotal in the growth of a scene that has lead to so many people being able to do this for a living.
Thoughts are with those close to him. https://t.co/8WAtPTu0Il— Pete Dunne (@PeteDunneYxB)
British wrestler Will Ospreay, who currently competes in Japan, said: "Every time I've met you, you have been nothing but a sweetheart. I honestly cannot believe I'm writing this tweet.
Every time I’ve met you, you have been nothing but a sweetheart. I honestly cannot believe I’m writing this tweet.
Devastated doesn’t cover how I feel.
RIP Adrian Lionheart McCallum. pic.twitter.com/94yCqm9p0v— ᵂⁱˡˡ ᴼˢᵖʳᵉᵃʸ • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay)
"Devastated doesn't cover how I feel."
Heartbroken for the whole wrestling family tonight. What a talent and what a lovely guy. He will be sorely missed. #Lionheart pic.twitter.com/gEvt2kkOL7
— Greg Hemphill (@greghemphill96)
Meanwhile, Scottish actor Greg Hemphill, known for appearing in sitcom Still Game, called him a "lovely guy".
"Heartbroken for the whole wrestling family tonight," he said. "What a talent and what a lovely guy. He will be sorely missed."