Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77 after a long battle with dementia.
The legendary Welshman famously won the Crucible in 1979 as a qualifier in his second professional tournament.
Griffiths went on to win the Masters and the UK Championship and complete a Triple Crown career before becoming an esteemed coach, working with some of the game’s best players including Mark Williams and Mark Allen.
“It’s incredibly sad news,” Judd Trump said after winning the British Championship in York on Sunday evening. “He is a legend of the game.
‘Terry was a very witty guy. Every time I was at the Welsh Open he would come over and make a joke. I had a good relationship with him.
“It’s hard to connect with some of the older generation, but he was someone I felt I could get along with. It’s a sad day for Welsh sport.’
Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77
World number 3 Allen posted on social media: ‘What a legend of a man who has helped shape my career and life both on and off the table. Absolutely heart broken. He wasn’t just a coach, he was family.”
The World Snooker Tour’s official
‘Our sincere condolences to Terry’s family and many friends. He was loved and respected by everyone in the sport.”
The Welsh Billiards and Snooker Association said: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of WBSA President Terry Griffiths OBE.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Terry’s family.
“RIP Griff.”
BBC Wales journalist Sue Charles added: ‘Sad to say goodbye to a Llanelli legend. My father Phil went to school with Terry Griffiths.
‘One of his favorite stories was how they had both skipped school every now and then to play snooker, which worked out much better for one than the other! Goodbye Terry, forever a world champion.’
The Welshman won a Triple Crown career before moving into coaching after retirement
The WPBSA reported on All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
Griffiths’ memorable win in 1979 was only the second time a qualifier had won snooker’s premier competition, after Alex Higgins achieved the feat seven years earlier.
After his last appearance at the Crucible in 1997, Griffiths commented on major matches for the BBC.
In 2007 he was awarded an OBE for services to snooker.