Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths dies after 'lengthy battle with dementia'

Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77 after "a lengthy battle with dementia", his family has said.

Griffiths' son Wayne wrote on Facebook: "To our friends and snooker followers in general, we are deeply saddened to share the news of our loss.

"Terry Griffiths OBE passed away peacefully on 1st December, after a lengthy battle with dementia. He was surrounded by his family in his beloved home-town in South Wales.

"A proud Welshman, Terry was born in Llanelli, brought pride to Llanelli and now he has found peace in Llanelli. He would not have had it any other way."

A 'triple crown' career

Born in 1947, Griffiths started playing snooker at the age of 13. He also worked as a miner when he was 15, and later had jobs as a bus conductor, a postman, and an insurance agent.

Inspired by fellow Welsh snooker player Ray Reardon - a six-time world champion who died in July - Griffiths turned professional and later won the World Championship in 1979 as a qualifier.

He went on to complete snooker's illustrious "triple crown" - one of only 11 players to do so - by winning the Masters in 1980 and then the UK Championship in 1982.

Griffiths stayed at the top end of the sport during the 1980s and early 1990s, reaching at least the quarter-finals of the World Championship for nine straight years, and reaching the final again in 1988.

After retiring in 1997, Griffiths became a coach, inspiring the likes of Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams and Mark Allen. He also received an OBE in 2007 for services to snooker.

'A legend of a man'

Williams - a three-time world champion - was among the first to pay tribute on social media, describing Griffiths as a "mentor, coach, friend, legend".

Allen also said on social media: "What a legend of a man who helped shape my career and life both on and off the table.

"Absolutely heartbroken. He wasn't just a coach, he was family."

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After winning the UK Championship on Sunday, current world number one Judd Trump said: "It is incredibly sad news. He is a legend of the game.

"Terry was a very witty guy. Whenever I was at the Welsh Open, he would come over and make a joke. I had a good connection with him.

"It is hard to connect with some of the older generation but he was someone I felt I could get along with. It is a sad day for Welsh sport."

In 2020 when asked about his hairstyle that looked similar to the Welshman's, Trump said: "I want to be like Terry Griffiths. Hopefully I can play as slow as him one day as well."

Former world champion Shaun Murphy also said: "Just hearing the news that Terry Griffiths has passed away. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

The Welsh Billiards and Snooker Association - of which Griffiths was president - added it was "deeply saddened" and sends its "deepest condolences to Terry's family".

(c) Sky News 2024: Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths dies after 'lengthy battle with dementia'