Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Phoebe Fuller & Ryan Fahey

UK's 'biggest headstone' with jukebox on traveller king's grave could be TORN DOWN

Britain's "biggest headstone " which features two life-sized models of the deceased and a solar-powered jukebox could be torn down after it emerged it breached planning rules.

Bare-knuckle boxer "Big" Willy Collins, dubbed the "King of Sheffield " by the travelling community he came from, was aged just 49 when he died during a family holiday to Majorca in July 2020.

The huge grave stone - which is said to be made of 37 tonnes of fine Italian marble - has been branded an "eyesore" and "monstrosity" by some visitors to the cemetery in Sheffield who've taken issue with its extravagance, Yorkshire Live reports.

Initially, the council said that the massive mausoleum, weighing 37-tonnes, had been constructed "without permission".

But today, they released a new statement clarifying that while the Collins family did obtain permission for a headstone, it had failed to match the designs they had submitted.

The local authority rules that memorials must be under three inches thick and no taller than 4.4ft.

Applicants also need to notify the council about materials and proposed inscriptions before permission is granted.

The stone features life-sized statues of Big Willy's imposing 6ft2 frame (Scott Merrylees / SWNS)

Councillor Alison Teal, executive member for sustainable neighbourhoods, wellbeing, parks and leisure, said: "We are aware of a large memorial which has been erected in Shiregreen Cemetery. This memorial was built without permission and we are currently considering our next steps.

"Cemeteries are a place where people can come, pay their respects and visit loved ones who are no longer with us. We understand memorials are deeply personal, however we must have rules in place to ensure fairness."

A spokesperson for the council in a new statement said: "Sheffield City Council approved plans for a memorial; however, the plans which were submitted and approved differ from the memorial now in place.

"This was not fully appreciated until after the structure was fully unveiled.

"We have reached out to the family and intend to discuss changes which need to be made in order to satisfy the cemetery rules and take into consideration other cemetery users.

"It would not be appropriate to discuss the details further as this is a sensitive matter and we wish to speak with the family fully in the coming days."

The stone - which is emblazoned with the word "King" in large gold letters - has been shared on TikTok since his family unveiled it last Thursday.

Cemetery visitors are split, with some calling the stone a "monstrosity" and others saying its "beautiful" (BBC)

But some visitors have no problem with the gravestone at all.

Mandy Stratford, who was visiting a loved one's grave at the cemetery, told the BBC : "I think it's beautiful. It doesn't offend me at all and I think it'd be a shame if they did take it down.

"I don't think it's offending anybody in the position it's in. If it was in the middle near everyone's loved ones I could understand it."

The stone features imposing biblical carvings, a working jukebox playing Willy's favourite tunes, and 24-hour surveillance which acts as a walkie-talkie for his family to converse with him whenever they need.

However, many other visitors have branded the stone an "eyesore" and a "monstrosity".

Willy died aged 49 while on a family holiday to Majorca (MEN MEDIA)

Kelly Greaves said: "My husband's cousin has had no end of problems with red tape for her 21-year-old son's grave. Can’t put this on or that. Yet it’s nothing like this.

"I’m not saying this is wrong! I’m saying if this is right then it should be right for everyone and should be equal."

Lesley Smith said: "How was that monstrosity allowed? Countless times, bereaved parents of young children have had to move teddy bears etc from graves in other cemeteries. Lights and a jukebox in a cemetery whatever next."

Willy's family spared no expense for his send-off, which featured a procession of Rolls Royce cars and a horse and carriage. The funeral was a massive affair, with hundreds of well-wishers lining the streets to pay their respects, to a man that was very well known in the Darnall area of Sheffield.

The gravestone is thought to be the biggest in the UK, and possibly the world (Scott Merrylees / SWNS)
Willy's family spared no expense for his send off, with thousands attending his funeral (MEN MEDIA)

Meanwhile, Tara Dawn Ellen said that the structure "looks hideous" and Gill Camidge agreed, commenting: "OBSCENE should not be allowed. Let them build their monstrosity on their own land!!"

And Lorraine Larkings said: "How or why are allowed such a big area? If you go over your grave area you soon get a letter to remove it".

Peter Bradford said that it is "embarrassing that this has been allowed to happen", while Carol Bodham said: "What a monstrosity absolutely hideous".

And Leslie Wand said that she has been tending to her own daughter's grave in Shiregreen Cemetery and has had to "put up with the loud music".

Simone Fenton-Jarvis said: "Sheffield City Council Can you explain how this was allowed? Music in a cemetery? What happened to rest in peace? I also thought there was a lack of space leading to increased cremations?!"

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.