X Factor legend Tony Adkins, better known as Big Tony, tragically died at the age of 64 on Easter Sunday, a family member announced on social media. When contestants were rowdy or upset on The X Factor, bodyguard Tony was often brought in to remove them from the audition rooms. Viewers of the show loved the bouncer's no-nonsense approach during the room auditions. Sharing a picture of Tony, his cousin posted: "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." Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Hammersmith and Fulham RFC shared a tribute to Tony on its website, writing: "It is with immense sadness that the club pays tribute to a true gent and great Hammer, Tony Adkins, who passed away whilst on tour with the Club in Poland on Easter Sunday." Tony worked closely with Simon as a bodyguard on the ITV show, and also played a giant in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two. After working on the music competition show, Tony opened up about his experience working with Simon, reports the Mirror. He previously told the Mirror : "Simon was so laid-back and a very nice guy. He was generous, too. Whenever the show finished - and at Christmas - you'd get an envelope as a thank you. The last one I got had £700 stuffed in it." Tony added: "He's a very private person. He doesn't give much away. You never see him drunk or out of control. Simon is vain - he does his hair all the time. "If there are five breaks in filming then Simon will do his hair five times. And I think he has about 20 identical T-shirts. I remember once he had a hole in one, so he just reached into a bag and pulled out another from a big pile." --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable , highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@men-news.co.uk or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.