Snooker legend Ray Reardon passes away aged 91
Ray Reardon, six-time World champion and one of the greatest snooker players of all time, has died at the age of 91.
The Welshman passed away on Friday evening following a battle with cancer, his wife Carol confirmed.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Dracula’ for his distinctive widow’s peak hairstyle, Reardon dominated snooker during it’s television boom of the 1970s.
The game’s first superstar of the modern era, he won the inaugural Pot Black in 1969, before winning the World Championship in 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1978.
Reardon was awarded an MBE for his services to snooker in 1985, before retiring six years later.
He briefly coached Ronnie O’Sullivan, helping the Rocket win his second World title in 2004, and the Welsh Open trophy was renamed in his honour in 2016.
The snooker world has paid tribute to Reardon. Judd Trump saluted “an absolute legend and one of the nicest people you could ever meet”, while Jimmy White called him “a total class act” and “giant of the game”.
Shaun Murphy wrote: “What a man you were Ray. An absolute animal on the table, and a total gentleman off it. It was an honour to spend time with you whether we played Snooker or Golf – I’ll treasure every minute.”
Dennis Taylor added: “Would always be in my top 8 of all time. Had the pleasure of travelling around the world with a true gentleman.”
Ryan Day described him as the “godfather or Welsh snooker” while Mark Selby hailed “a legend of our sport”.
Rip to the great Ray reardon. An absolute legend and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. pic.twitter.com/7VugpXz2KI
— Judd Trump (@juddtrump) July 20, 2024
What a man you were Ray. An absolute animal on the table, and a total gentleman off it. It was an honour to spend time with you whether we played Snooker or Golf – I’ll treasure every minute. Rest in peace ❤️ pic.twitter.com/W9KH0kKtX0
— Shaun Murphy (@Magician147) July 20, 2024
Gutted to hear my very good friend Ray Reardon has passed away. A total class act and very kind to me when I was making my way in the game. A giant of the game. Rest in Peace mate pic.twitter.com/CYvNqjUDjk
— Jimmy White MBE (@jimmywhite147) July 20, 2024
Terribly sad news to hear the passing of Ray Reardon. Did not manage to be in his presence much, but what a legend of our sport. RIP Ray 🙏🏻
— Mark Selby MBE (@markjesterselby) July 20, 2024
So sad to hear of the passing of the great Ray Reardon.
Would always be in my top 8 of all time.
Had the pleasure of traveling around the world with a true gentleman.
Condolences to all his family. RIP Ray.— Dennis Taylor (@dennistaylor147) July 20, 2024
Sad news. Ray Reardon passed away last night, it was a honour to have known him, a true great of our game RIP
— John Virgo (@jvofficialjv) July 20, 2024
Just hearing the terrible news that the godfather of Welsh snooker has passed. Thank you for the nuggets of information you passed on in the one afternoon we spent together on the table. Rest easy Ray x
— ryanday (@ryan23day) July 20, 2024
Snooker has lost one of it’s greatest ambassadors of all time, but Ray’s legacy will live forever.