Geoff, the gentle giant

Tributes to strongman whose Brit record was never beaten

- ANDY LINES

HIS name became a byword for anyone who possessed amazing strength... and Geoff Capes was as big a character on the athletics field as he was off.

The legendary shot-putter and two-time Commonwealth gold medallist, who has passed away at the age of 75, was one of the country's most recognisable and popular faces in the 1970s and 1980s.

And double World's Strongest Man champion Geoff died with his 1980 British shot-put record of 21.68m intact. The former policeman and budgie breeder's relatives announced his death yesterday and led tributes to him.

They said: "The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, 23rd October. Britain's finest shot-putter and twice world's strongest man."

British Athletics added: "We are saddened to hear the news of former British shot-putter, Geoff Capes' passing. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this time."

The Guinness World Records said: "In 1978, Geoff threw a standard 2.27kg building brick 44.54m at Braybrook School in Cambridgeshire. His record has never been broken."

Former Olympian Katherine Merry called Geoff "a real household name".

After he shot to fame, his name would regularly come up in conversations when people would say of others: "He's as strong as Geoff Capes."

And in his heyday, Geoff became a regular fixture on TV shows such as Little and Large and Blue Peter. He also appeared alongside Kenny Everett.

Geoff starred in the Superstars TV programme which attracted 10 million viewers at its height.

He appeared in the panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with former model Linda Lusardi at Newcastle in 1991.