An X Factor legend, Tony Adkins who was also known as Big Tony, sadly passed way at the age of 64 after working side by side with music legend Simon Cowell as a trusted bodyguard on the ITV show for eight years.
While sharing a picture of him, Tony’s cousin penned: “It is with great sadness my family would like to announce that my Cousin Big Tony, Simon Cowell’s ex bodyguard, passed away on Easter Sunday while on a Rugby Tour.
He was a loveable Rogue and will be missed very much, RIP Big T.”
Hammersmith and Fulham RFC paid their own heartfelt tribute to the late bodyguard on Facebook, saying: “It is with immense sadness that Hammersmith & Fulham RFC pays tribute to a true gent and great Hammer, Tony Adkins, who passed away on Easter Sunday whilst on tour with the Club in Poland.
“Tony was a Hammers’ man in every sense of the word, joining the club some 40 years ago alongside Henry Compton School contemporaries and fellow Hammers legends Ray Bateman, Dick Wayman, Pascal Peters, Dave Clark, and teachers Martin Williams, Ed Naylor, Doug Bone, and John Mathewman.
A tight head prop by trade, Tony could be still found pulling on the boots well into the 2000s, and even featured in the club’s 25th anniversary game.
Tony was, at heart, a touring Hammer, and he liked nothing more than taking the Hammers brand of Rugby beyond the boundaries of London.”
However, after stepping down as bodyguard on The X Factor, Tony earlier opened up about his experience working with the music mogul in an interview with The Mirror.
