Former world snooker champion Ray Reardon has died at the age of 91.
The Welshman, who had previously been diagnosed with cancer, died on Friday evening, his wife Carol said.
Reardon dominated snooker in the 1970s, claiming six world titles between 1970 and 1978.
Nicknamed ‘Dracula’ because of his distinctive widow’s peak hairstyle, he became a star as the game enjoyed a television boom.
He won the first Pot Black series on BBC Two in 1969 and was made an MBE in the 1985 Queen’s Birthday honours.
Reardon retired in 1991 aged 58 and later worked as a consultant for Ronnie O’Sullivan, helping him win the world title in 2004.
In 2016 the trophy awarded to the winner of the Welsh Open was named the Ray Reardon Trophy in his honour.
Welshman Mark Williams, a three-time world champion, told the World Snooker Tour: “Ray is one of the best sportspeople ever from Wales, and the best snooker player.
“He’s one of the reasons why a lot of us started playing. He put snooker on the map, alongside Alex Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis”. (BBC sport)
