Snooker legend and BBC Sport stalwart Willie Thorne dies at 66

“Thank you for all the donations that enabled him to get the care he needed! This will now pay for his funeral.”

Thorne reached two World Championship quarter-finals and won his only ranking title, the Mercantile Credit Classic, in 1982. Three years later, he lost 16–14 to Steve Davis in the final of the 1985 UK Championship, having led 13–8 at one point.

Thorne was part of snooker’s ‘Matchroom Mob’ that featured in the 1986 Chas and Dave hit Snooker Loopy. He responded to the line “Old Willie Thorne, his hair’s all gorn” with the reply: “Perhaps I ought to chalk it!”

Thorne went on to become a BBC commentator and appeared on the 2007 series of Strictly Come Dancing with partner Erin Boag, being voted out in 12th place.

He later battled bankruptcy after admitting he had borrowed up to £1m in order to feed his gambling addiction.

After the news of his passing was announced today, Thorne’s close friend Gary Lineker described him as “one of life’s great characters” who had “potted his final black much too soon.”

BBC presenter Gabby Logan posted: “So sad to hear about the death of Willie Thorne. I loved watching his career, we made friends on Strictly Come Dancing where he was the loveliest ”team mate’.”