AT 4pm each Saturday between 1976 and 1988, millions of Britons, and countless more worldwide, were in the grip of an extraordinary sports phenomenon: watching two fat men "pretend" to fight each other.

Shirley Crabtree and Martin Ruane were by far the biggest stars in British wrestling, their epic rivalries making the pair household names. Now the story of these larger-than-life titans of the canvas will be told at Selby Town Hall on September 18 in Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks, an award-winning play by Brian Mitchell and Joseph Nixon.

This "British heavyweight champion comedy" restores to grunting, grappling life the two battling behemoths and the bizarre world they bestrode, supported by an "all-star cast of thousands". World Of Sport host Dickie Davies, Paul McCartney, Chris Tarrant, Frank Sinatra, Princess Margaret and Greg Dyke all make cameo appearances in Ross Gurney-Randall and David Mounfield's performance of a two-hander that seeks to conjure up a whole nation during its most colourful era.

“This play is warm, engaging and fantastically good fun,” says Selby Town Council arts officer Chris Jones.

“It’s also a surprisingly comprehensive and really fascinating potted history of one of this nation’s most brilliantly idiosyncratic cultural mainstays.

"I must be among millions upon millions who have incredibly fond memories of ITV’s World Of Sport on a Saturday afternoon, knowing that once the water skiing, bowls and show jumping had been endured, I’d be treated to a glittering spectacle of extraordinary physicality, eye-watering leotards and my mum chanting ‘Easy! Easy! Easy!’ at the top of her voice.

"Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks is a great night out for fans of wrestling, theatre and late 20th century British popular culture.”

Doors open at 7.30pm for round one at 8pm. Tickets cost £12 in advance on 01757 708449 or at selbytownhall.co.uk or £14 on the night.