Andy and Maggie Robin shared their lives with the bear they named Hercules after buying him from an animal sanctuary for £50 back in 1974.
He became a star, appearing in a James Bond film with Roger Moore, meeting Margaret Thatcher and thrilling crowds around the world.
Now Hercules’ incredible story is being told in a new book written by Maggie, his ‘mother’.
It all started in the late 1960s when wrestler Andy, now 77, was talked into wrestling a black bear in the Maple Leaf Gala in Toronto in the late '60's.
The bear was called Terrible Ted and the whole experience stayed with Andy and his fascination with bears began.
So, on August 31st 1975 the couple took Hercules home.
Maggie said: "From that moment on our lives, and his, changed forever. We had never imagined that the little bundle of fluff we had adopted would bring us such joy and laughter, and indeed to so many others who saw him or heard of his adventures through his colourful life."
Sadly, Hercules died on in 2001, aged 26, as a result of complications from back problems.
His death devastated the pair, who never had children and had shared their lives with him for 26 years.
She added: "Our lives dulled a little from that day onwards and we miss him still.
"We were greatly blessed to have known him and Hercules can never be replaced, but he can be remembered and honoured in this way."
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