Silver King death: Wrestler and Nacho Libre star collapses and dies during London show

Tributes paid to 51-year-old, real name Cesar Barron, who collapsed in front of fans during lucha libre event

Professional luchador Silver King collapsed during a show at the Camden Roundhouse (Getty Images)

A professional wrestling star who played the villain in the film Nacho Libre has died after collapsing during a show in north London.

Silver King, 51, is believed to have suffered a heart attack in the ring while facing Youth Warrior in front of hundreds of fans at the Greatest Show of Lucha Libre event on Saturday night.

The former World Championship Wrestling (WCW) star, real name Cesar Barron, could not be saved despite the efforts of a medical team at the Roundhouse in Camden.

Barron was one of the most high-profile stars of lucha libre - a Mexican style of wrestling in which performers wear colourful masks and carry out rapid, high-flying manoeuvres.

Wrestlers and wrestling organisations around the world paid tribute after news of his death emerged.

El Hijo del Santo, a fellow Mexican wrestler, tweeted: "Deeply saddened at the death of my great rival and companion at so many battles. He went as he wanted: fighting!"

Barron's brother, who wrestles under the name Dr Wagner Junior, changed his Twitter profile picture to an image of a black ribbon.

American wrestler X-Pac wrote: “It was an honour to have been friends and shared the ring with the great Silver King ... He truly was one of the greats and I’m heartbroken to learn of his passing.”

Former WCW president Eric Bischoff said: “I am saddened to hear about the passing of Silver King. Like so many of the great Luchadores that helped Americans appreciate Lucha Libre and make Nitro the success it was, he will be missed. Thank you and RIP.”

The WWE also issued a statement describing Silver King as as a "legend of lucha libre" who “entertained audiences across the globe.”

Silver King, who was the son of the Mexican professional wrestler Dr Wagner, became an international star while competing in WCW between 1997 and 2000.

In 1998 he attempted to win the Cruiserweight Championship belt but lost to Youth Warrior, real name Juventud Guerrera.

He later starred alongside Jack Black in the 2005 Hollywood comedy film Nacho Libre, playing the villain Ramses.

Silver King reprised his role as the “evil Ramses” for the show in Camden on Saturday.

Footage posted online showed fellow wrestlers coming to the aid of the fighter as he lay on the floor after being defeated by Juventud Guerrera.

The Roundhouse said the circumstances of the wrestler's death were being investigated.

A statement added: "Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and all of the Lucha Libre team."

After his death was confirmed, the official Lucha Libre Twitter account posted a picture of the wrestler captioned “Rest in Peace”.

It added: “Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide joins the grief that the Luchistica family has for the death of Cesar Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez Barron ‘SILVER KING’.”

Additional reporting by Press Association