Willie Thorne dead: Snooker legend passes away, aged 66

Snooker legend Willie Thorne has died aged 66 after suffering respiratory failure.

Thorne, who announced he was battling leukaemia in earlier this year, was taken to hospital in Spain last week with low blood pressure and was subsequently placed in an induced coma.

Thorne reached the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship twice, in 1982 and 1986, and reached a peak ranking of no.7 twice during the his career.

He won his only ranking title at the Mercantile Credit Classic in 1982 and later went on to become a commentator on the sport for the BBC.

Thorne’s carer, Julie O’Neil, set up a GoFundMe page which has raised more than €22,000. She announced the news on the site on Wednesday morning.

“It is with a very heavy and broken heart that I have to officially announce that at 1.55am this morning Willie Thorne lost his battle and passed away!” O’Neil wrote.

“Willie went into septic shock and was not responding to any treatment so the decision was made by the hospital to turn off the machines

“I was with him all the way to his end and reading out messages to him from people.

“He passed away very peacefully and without pain listening to his children saying they love him, that gives me some comfort in this difficult time.

“Thank you so very much to everyone that has been involved in Willies care you have all been absolutely amazing and Willie couldn’t have asked for better.

“Thank you for all the donations that enabled him to get the care he needed!”

As well as being a mainstay in the top 16 throughout the late 1980s and early 90s, Thorne was a commentator for the BBC and took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2007.

He reached a career-high world No 7 and finished runner-up at the 1985 UK Championship.