Geoff Capes

Sadly passed away today aged 75. Takes me back to my childhood watching Superstars.

My knowledge about sport, such as it is, mostly comes from what my father had on the TV. Superstars was a big one in our household. Geoff was a well known and well loved figure, there can't have been many celeb shot putters. Sad news, RIP.

Met a guy once who looked so much like Geoff Capes that he started signing autographs because so many people got mad at him when he tried to claim that he wasn’t GC. 

Proper legend. RIP

Star of 1970's teatime TV, champion shot putter, worlds strongest man (twice) & budgie breeder. Says it all. RIP big fella.

I remember as a kid watching in awe when he ripped up telephone directories. RIP.

It's strange, although I remember him competing in World's Strongest Man I don't remember him actually winning it.  In my mind he was always finishing second or third behind Bill Kazmaier or Jon Pall Sigmarsson.  Maybe I just missed the show in those years.

Boring personal anecdote:  when my dad first met my stepmother she was always going on about her father and how strong he was, "like Geoff Capes"... imagine our surprise when we eventually met a little old man, about 5'7", who spent hours telling very boring stories about his career "ont'buses".  Anyway, our nickname for our step-grandad was "Capes Equivalent".

RIP Mr Capes.

Very sad news - Geoff was part of my early life.  He was a bit of a hero of mine and he always came over as a really nice guy, which is a big plus.

RIP old chap.

I remember him as when I was a kid he seemed like our only 'field' competitor in athletics. A lovely genial giant who would turn up on various TV stuff. I used to love Superstars, but I don't recall him winning.

In my town, Ashbourne, there use to be an annual ‘Highland Gathering’ festival in the summer 
Geoff would be part of the event to help promote it and compete in various ‘strong man’ events 

He always attracted a good crowd and would encourage ‘big guys’ in the crowd to take him on

Think he was also a copper

RIP big man

I noticed in the news stories yesterday there didn't seem to be any recent photos.  I guess he'd been lower profile for a while.

I met him once when I was in the company of Linda Lussardi and he made a B-line for her and employed every tactic possible to 'muscle you out' the way...

Rip Geoff, I remember the newspaper features as a kid, according to The Sun he would eat like 36 eggs, 7 chickens, 4 steaks and 5 loafs of bread every day. 

Geoff was also one of my fave athletes in my youth ... saw him up close and personal at a few highland games and watched him lift and throw mind-blowing weights (not by today's standards).

Anyway, if you want to learn a little more about him and why he is a legend in the UK then this shines a light:

https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/geoff-capes-shot-put-strongman-and-highland-games-legend-dies-aged-75-1039993967/

I have an enduring image of the family dinner table and the weekly food bill :astonished: