Kendo Nagasaki - Further Insights - The man behind Kendo's mask talks about Les Kellett

More footage from the private preview of the launch of Kendo Nagasaki's autobiography. This time the man behind the mask, Peter Thornley, talks about Les Kellett, and once again he's most informative and entertaining! Videoed by Roland Platt and Jonathan Smeed on 21st October 2018.
For info on the fascinating book, see www.kendonagasakibook.com where you can also buy the book in paperback and hardback - all profits from sales will be donated to the Lee Rigby KNFoundation.

[@nealspilsbury8639]

The man was a legend and seems a nice fella as well

[@awkwardsean5141]

More down to earth than I expected!

[@kiragrandad]

Fantastic talk .I'd love to see a TV documentary on Peter/Kendo..or even a movie.

[@JohnCashin]

The 1970's, 4.00pm, Saturday afternoon, World Of Sport, Wrestling, Dickie Davies, never missed it once back in the day as a kid, well, the whole family were glued to the TV when the wrestling came on, my older brother (no longer alive) was a big wrestling fan, I was too, it's the one thing we could agree on if nothing else lol, I used to love Kendo Nagasaki, I spent hours as a kid pretending to be him, with the mask etc, he was almost like a Marvel Superhero to me back then, up there with Spiderman and DareDevil etc, he looks and sounds well for his age, he was probably a bit younger than some of the other greats back then like Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy, they are all sadly long gone but not forgotten, those of us of a certain age still think of them all, thanks.

[@zaftra]

No, it was 4pm staurday, mum never missed it. then flick over to bbc and football results followed by doctor who.

[@SuperNeildavies]

The book is a terrific read by the way. What an amazing man and what a full life he has lived. I used to watch Kendo on World of Sport back in the 70s little realising how intelligent and engaging the man behind the mask was, to me he seemed thuggish.

[@suemorgan2880]

Love u Nagasaki the greatest masked wrestler of all time

[@matttangles2106]

peter talking about les kellet reminds me when i was about 8yrs ols we were stopping with family having a holiday in selby les kellet opened a fete nr there and he posed for photos he let me get him in a head lock for a photo and it nearly broke my arms the strenght in his neck was awsome even at 8 i knew what a hard man he was

[@lillianflorence6056]

He is lovely, with or with out mask❤

[@petercartwright4321]

Brilliant story. Just 1 more of 1000's. Great man Kendo Nagasaki

[@rogerbixley6911]

Fantastic stories

[@Cashpots]

I used to work for Brian Dixon and also did a little work for Crabtree I can tell you that Les Kellett was a miserable, rude *astard behind the scenes. Most other wrestlers were as polite as they come (I even caught one *very* famous man crying to himself in the dressing room as he was homesick), so not hard, but Mr Kellett enjoyed his hard reputation. He was also happy to really hurt opponents, obviously unless it gets out of hand most will pull back a bit, but NOT Les. And that is from personal experience.

[@mistofoles]

I'm glad he's grown his fringe back - When Big Daddy sensationally unmasked him, he looked like a Hari Krishna !

[@awkwardsean5141]

Fascinating insight, there aren't many British wrestlers that have opened up about that period.

[@TheBill9999]

Pure gold.

[@kiragrandad]

I'd like to see one of the TV channels do a documentary on Peter the man behind the mask.. He seems like he has a good sense of humour.

[@Tacsmoker]

what a little gem this is, and i can see more on the side bar, cheers ;-)

[@michaelcripwell1724]

Brilliant, is the full interview anyway.

[@dontuno]

I always thought Kendo was awesome, and you seldom saw him beaten in the ring. One of the best wrestlers of the era, if not the best.

[@vordman]

I don't think he ever lost. I can remember him beating Haystacks and Daddy. No one was allowed to beat Daddy, but Kendo did.

[@BeasleyStreet]

I was utterly frightened of Kendo,the man behind the mask I should not be surprised that he was and is the opposite persona.

[@danbedderz5119]

Les Kellet is my great great uncle!

[@ourdeano42]

your great great uncle is the greatest wrestler I ever saw

[@cryptohunt2552]

Les was brilliant.

[@BadWolf-pm3td]

he was also my great uncle on my dads side

[@danbedderz5119]

@@BadWolf-pm3td wow, family reunion in the comments 😂

[@GEricG]

Les Kellet v Leon Arras on KZbin. Excellent bout with great technical skills as well as comedy.

[@leenwctv1]

Just brilliant, should do a theatre tour, great stories, there must be more

[@johnny5805]

I pity Death when he came calling for Les !

[@silvo-sings]

Peter/Kendo in a great TV series written by and starring the late Brian Glover - "Send in the Girls" its a great story with loads of 70's wrestlers from the day alongside Michael Elphick. Interestingly I believe this was the first time we heard Peters actual voice on TV. Here's the link. I wish TV would show it again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpW6dWmkitCtq8k

[@dav01kar]

When did this guy break his silence

[@Butcher_TV]

Is this available to buy on DVD?

[@glynroberts8832]

I prefer the mask to the wig. Never the less, a legend.

[@KendoNagasaki101]

Why the hell do people say he is wearing a wig..I can tell you now that it is all his own hair....Regards Lawrence PA to Kendo Nagasaki.

[@glynroberts8832]

@@KendoNagasaki101 .Nice to hear from you Lawrence. I was referring to previous comments about the wig and when I said that I prefer kendo in a mask, what I ment , was that I miss kendo in the ring. I was in the business and I can tell you that I will always have pure respect for kendo nagasaki along with other wrestlers. Kendo is looking great and I'm glad you are doing a good job looking after his interest. Thank you for putting things right . Hope you have a joyful Christmas.

[@martinbean]

😂

[@nialwestwood]

Wow this is the mysterious legendary Kendo Nagasaki lol

[@jonnybbad264]

That's gotta be a Chinese amazon rug 😕

[@steviem8466]

Most people don't realise that UK Wreatling was all fixed, pantomime.

[@Isabelthompson99]

I think they do realise that

[@terrywrigley5988]

should of never unmasked

[@Zeitgeist971]

What's all this "Should Of?" It's Should have for god's sake, should of makes no sense.

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

@@Zeitgeist971 They're all illiterate. Pains me to say it.

[@Isleofskye]

@@Zeitgeist971 Yes but he is heir to 1/16th of that Spearmint Empire so he will not be too bothered. He should have gone to Eton, not Long Eaton...