Willie Thorne doing what he did best. pic.twitter.com/CbySj2jiyO
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) June 17, 2020
The hugely popular snooker player and commentator ‘Mr. Maximum’ Willie Thorne has sadly died at the age of 66 after a short battle with leukaemia.
Thorne had been in hospital in Spain, where he suffered respiratory failure.
One of the game’s engaging personalities that helped amplify snooker’s appeal to the masses during its heyday, Willie Thorne was known on the snooker circuit as ‘Mr. Maximum’ – for his ability to construct 147 breaks at the table.
He won the Mercantile Credit Classic in 1985 and reached two World Championship quarter-finals in 1982 and 1986 before moving to the commentary box.
A GoFundMe page set up to help pay for his treatment had passed £17,000 by Tuesday afternoon, when it was disclosed he had been placed into an induced coma.
His carer, Julie O’Neill, wrote on the page on Wednesday: “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.”
Just want to say what a beautiful man, big heart great company. Had a week in ireland with him I’ll never forget. Will be missed by a lot of people in the Snooker world. RIP WT pic.twitter.com/fZoC18skqZ
— Ronnie O'Sullivan (@ronnieo147) June 17, 2020
We are deeply saddened to hear that the Great WT himself, Willie Thorne, has passed away at the age of 66. It's a great loss to our sport.
Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
RIP Williehttps://t.co/dQYOen9L3Q pic.twitter.com/Kj57meHU5g
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) June 17, 2020
We are deeply saddened to hear that snooker legend and Foxes supporter Willie Thorne has passed away at the age of 66.
The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with Willie’s loved ones at this sad time.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/nnNeuoUqpy
— Leicester City (@LCFC) June 17, 2020
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