Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths has died at the age of 77 after a lengthy battle with dementia.
The Welshman won the World Championship in 1979 in only his second professional tournament, doing so as a qualifier.
The remarkable triumph saw him beat Perrie Mans, Alex Higgins, Eddie Charlton and then Dennis Taylor in the final.
He went on to complete a career Triple Crown by winning the Masters in 1980 and then the UK Championship in 1982.
Griffiths made his final Crucible appearances in 1997 and went on to become one of the most heralded coaches in the sport, working with a string of top players in the game.
The man known as Griff would also go on to be a great commentator on the BBC and was awarded an OBE for services to snooker in 2007.
His son Wayne confirmed the tragic news of his passing on Sunday evening, writing 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.
‘Our family would like to send our heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Bryngolau Ward in Prince Philip Hospital for their exceptional care for Dad, and for their support for our family, over the last few weeks.’
Mark Allen, who Griffiths coached for years earlier in his career, posted on social media: ‘Terry Griffiths…. What a legend of a man who helped shape my career and life both on and off the table. Absolutely heart broken. He wasn’t just a coach, he was family.’
Fellow legend of Welsh snooker, Mark Williams, wrote: ‘Mentor, coach, friend, legend.’
Shaun Murphy wrote: ‘Just hearing the news that Terry Griffiths has passed away. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones ❤️ #legend.’
Speaking to the BBC in 2019 about his Crucible triumph as a 31-year-old, Griffiths said: ‘From being a miner at 15 years of age in Pontarddulais, then I was a bus conductor and a postman and then went on to work in insurance.
‘Next thing I was champion of the world. It was a great thing for me – the pinnacle of my career.
‘It did change my life. At the end of the day you don’t really understand what’s happened until you get older and have time to think about things.
‘I see my name on the trophy sometimes and have a replica of the trophy, which is all very nice.’
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