It was branded Britain’s most outrageous memorial – a £200,000 marble mega-grave full with flashing lights, life-size statues, and even a jukebox and scannable QR code.
Now, 5 years after the loss of life of bare-knuckle boxer ‘Large’ Willy Collins, the Day by day Mail can reveal how his controversial 37-tonne monument has morphed into an enormous household shrine – that includes Guinness cans, Dior aftershave and big floral hearts.
The colossal tribute to Mr Collins – a father-of-nine referred to as ‘the King of Sheffield’ – was branded an ‘eyesore’ and a ‘monstrosity’ by livid guests to town’s Shiregreen cemetery when it was erected in 2022.
Council chiefs then dominated the audacious tribute was constructed with out planning permission.
Nonetheless, as an alternative of being scaled again, Mr Collins’ ostentatious grave has since been accompanied by outlandish memorials to different departed members of the close-knit traveller clan.
His two brothers, Terry and Michael Collins, are buried alongside him with flamboyant tributes of their very own.
Youthful brother Terry, 52, died out of the blue in September final yr.
His send-off included a platinum coffin, fifteen horse-drawn carriages, a procession of Rolls-Royces and even a aircraft that traced a coronary heart throughout the sky.
His grave, instantly throughout from his siblings’ ornate monument, is equally extravagant – surrounded by iron railings and that includes big floral hearts, a biblical carving and a life-sized cut-out of Terry, fondly referred to as ‘The Toucher’.
5 years after the loss of life of bare-knuckle boxer ‘Large’ Willy Collins, Day by day Mail can reveal how his controversial 37-tonne memorial has morphed into an enormous household shrine
It was branded Britain’s most outrageous memorial – a £200,000 marble mega-grave full with flashing lights, life-size statues, and even a jukebox
Youthful brother Terry’s grave, instantly throughout from his siblings’ ornate monument, is equally extravagant – surrounded by iron railings and that includes big floral hearts, a biblical carving and a life-sized cut-out of Terry, fondly referred to as ‘The Toucher’
‘Large’ Willy Collins, pictured, was on vacation in Mallorca to have fun his spouse’s birthday in July 2020 when he collapsed and died aged 49
Brother Michael, 51, handed away simply weeks later in December 2024.
His cortege featured one other platinum coffin, a horse-drawn hearse and luxurious vehicles and led to tributes being paid by boxing superstars Tyson Fury and Kell Brook.
Michael’s gravelled plot has its personal touches, together with huge blue floral wreaths, choices of Guinness cans and a reproduction bottle of Dior Sauvage aftershave.
The three Collins brothers lay subsequent to a different giant burial plot for a girl linked to the massive traveller household, that includes 4 biblical statues and doves painted in gold leaf.
The controversial additions will do little to quell the long-running dispute between the household and Sheffield Metropolis Council, who stated Mr Collins’s strong Carerra marble monument and two life-sized statues of the 6ft 2ins boxer was constructed illegally.
The Collins household have made clear they won’t again down and beforehand threatened ‘struggle’ if the tribute was pulled down.
Mr Collin’s widow Kathleen, 52, beforehand stated: ‘There have been vicious feedback on social media from those that hate the traveller group and so they have left the entire household feeling very harm and offended.
‘Persons are threatening to drag the monument down or harm it whereas the council is saying we could have to alter it, but when that occurs, there’s going to be struggle.
‘It’ll trigger very, very unhealthy riots in the event that they take my husband’s gravestone down.
Mr Collin’s widow Kathleen, 52, pictured, beforehand stated: ‘I’m warning the general public and the council, do not contact the gorgeous monument we’ve got put as much as keep in mind my darling Willy’
Kathleen added: ‘Persons are threatening to drag the monument down or harm it whereas the council is saying we could have to alter it, but when that occurs, there’s going to be struggle’
Mr Collins was on vacation in Mallorca to have fun his spouse’s birthday in July 2020 when he collapsed and died aged 49. PIctured: Michael and Kathleen’s wedding ceremony image
The Collins household have made clear they won’t again down and beforehand threatened ‘struggle’ if the tribute was pulled down. Pictured: Terry’s grave
‘I’m warning the general public and the council, do not contact the gorgeous monument we’ve got put as much as keep in mind my darling Willy.’
She added: ‘There’s plenty of racism and jealousy concerned as a result of Willy was a well-known traveller who was identified throughout Sheffield.’
Eldest daughter Mary, 31, added: ‘Any try to have us take this down could be fought legally as it might be a blatant matter of racism.
‘The council knew what we have been doing. They signed it off.’
Mr Collins was on vacation in Mallorca to have fun his spouse’s birthday in July 2020 when he collapsed and died aged 49.
His burial in August 2020 attracted tons of of mourners from the traveller group who watched his 22-carat gold coffin pulled by a white horse-drawn carriage.
Amongst these to pay tribute was boxer Tyson Fury, who wrote: ‘It is a RIP message to Large Willy Collins. God bless you, relaxation in peace.’
A QR code was put in final yr on Mr Collins’ CCTV-protected memorial, permitting mourners to scan it to pay tribute and think about pictures of the larger-than-life character, who was stated to have 400 nieces and nephews.
Pictured is Willy Collins together with his spouse Kathleen earlier than his loss of life. They met when she was 11
Sharing particulars of his wealthy life, Kathleen (pictured kissing Willy on vacation) described him as a charismatic ‘mild big’ who ‘beloved peace’ and was additionally identified affectionately as ‘Large Willy’
One among 16 youngsters, ‘Large Willy’ was born in Eire however moved to Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1980 and grew up within the Pitsmoor space
Following his loss of life, all his sons obtained tattoos of Willy’s face
A city corridor spokesman described the scenario on the cemetery as ‘advanced’ however admitted no enforcement motion had been taken.
Sheffield Metropolis Council stated: ‘There’s at the moment no new data concerning the Willy Collins memorial.
‘It is a advanced scenario, and the council proceed to correspond instantly with the household or their chosen representatives till it’s resolved.
‘The council will remember to let native residents know when there’s an replace on this matter.’
In 2020, tons of of mourners from the traveller group turned out to pay respects to Mr Collins throughout his extravagant funeral, the place a white horse-drawn carriage carried his 22-carat gold coffin.
He skilled at Brendan Ingle’s legendary Wincobank fitness center, the place Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham additionally honed his craft. The fitness center later produced 4 world champions – ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter and Kell Brook.
Many went on to submit tributes following Large Willy’s loss of life.
Tyson Fury stated on the time: ‘It is a RIP message to Large Willy Collins. God bless you, relaxation in peace.’
The cortege additionally had 40 Rolls Royces, about 12 bikers and different classic vehicles
Collins was a father-of-nine and all his youthful kin referred to as him ‘Large Daddy’
Lots of of mourners from the traveller group got here to his flamboyant burial, the place his 22-carat gold coffin was pulled by a white horse-drawn carriage
Lots of turned out for the funeral, the place a crown lay on a gold coffin. He was certainly one of 16 youngsters
The funeral of Mr Collins, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, in August 2020
The gravestone for the ‘King of Sheffield’ Willy Collins who died in 2020
Billy Joe Saunders added: ‘Relaxation in peace to an excellent buddy of mine’s dad, Large Willy Collins. God bless you, my man, a gentleman. Could God offer you an excellent mattress in heaven.’
Kell Brook stated: ‘My condolences exit to Collins’ household. We used to see him on the fitness center coaching up there. A whole lot of respect for the household. Relaxation in peace.’
Influencer and boxer Tom Zanettitz wrote: ‘Very sorry to listen to the information. My ideas are with you all on this unhappy time. It could not look like proper now however it should get simpler to manage in time.’
He later added: ‘I do know he will likely be up there, shining down power so you may all smile on the good recollections. Plenty of love from me and mine to you and yours.’
