RIP Willie Thorne

Sad news that Snooker legend Willie Thorne has died aged 66

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-spo...d-22201772

RIP Willie A wonderful character of the game and summariser condolences to all

RIP Willie

Great break builder. Brilliant player and excellent commentator. RIP Willie

Heartbroken by this news .

I grew up watching Willie Thorne.
He was part of a golden age of snooker characters that made the sport so popular in the 1980s.
His finest hour was victory in the Mercantile Credit Classic in 1985.
In that year he also reached the final of the UK Championship only to be defeated 16-14 by Steve Davis.
Willie was known as 'Maximum Man' and 'Mr Maximum' because of the regularity with which he made 147 breaks in practice.
He reached a career high world ranking of 7.

Upon retirement he moved to commentating at which he proved hugely accomplished.

He will be sorely missed.
Sincerest condolences to his friends and family. A piece of my snooker heart is broken today. A very, very sad day.

R.I.P.

Willie lead Steve Davis 13 - 8 in the UK final when he missed a blue off the spot. That according to Willie was the turning point in the match, he started to get negative thoughts about previous matches he had lost. It's a shame such a character never won one of Snookers triple crown.

Be strange no to hear his thoughts at the world championships next month, but I'm sure there will be many tributes to him during the tournament I feel Willie probably is in a small but elite group of players that never won the world tile and felt they should have done when you consider he was ranked 7th in the world at the peak of his career

Willie Thorne.

My father played snooker for Ireland. Each year there was a home international series with Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales national teams.
In mid 1970's a very young Willie Thorne, along with John Virgo, Ray Edmonds, Jonathan Barron, came to Dublin to play in Ireland/England match.

Myself and my brother were only nippers, but I remember WT bought me and my brother a bottle of Coca Cola each!

Dad always said that WT was the most talented player of the visiting teams, but that he had a problem with the pressure in the professional ranks.

In practice games WT was literally unbeatable. But put him in competition and for whatever reason he could never replicate his practice form consistently, which is a really pity.

R.I.P.

Oh fuck. This geezer had a snooker hall not too far from me.
It's a huge loss to the game of snooker.
I'm sure at one stage he was taking beta blockers to combat his nerves until they were banned.
A proper old skool gent. R I P geeze.

A sad day, one of the nicer guys. I read his book, and his struggles with gambling were painful. He was proud of the titles he did win, even if they weren't the top ones. He got his photo took with Linda Lusardi as well.

I recall one year they got him to demonstrate & talk through getting a 147 in a practice room - a charming filler than many that are often repeated over & over.

I also recall Fantasy Football doing a take-off of Gary Lineker's Welcome Home/Walkers ad too, with Baddiel as Thorne, which I hope he saw the funny side of.

His health was in decline, but it still comes as a shock. Being Michelle's dad probably didn't help his hair.

RIP