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Snooker legend Ray Reardon passes away aged 91

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Ray Reardon was a six-time World champion during the 1970s (DAVID MUSCROFT / Alamy Stock Photo)

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”.

Snooker has lost one of it’s greatest ambassadors of all time, but Ray’s legacy will live forever.