Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths dies
Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77 after a lengthy battle with dementia, his family has said.
Griffiths' son Wayne wrote on Facebook: "To our friends and snooker followers in general, we are deeply saddened to share the news of our loss.
"Terry Griffiths OBE passed away peacefully on 1st December, after a lengthy battle with dementia. He was surrounded by his family in his beloved home-town in South Wales.
"A proud Welshman, Terry was born in Llanelli, brought pride to Llanelli and now he has found peace in Llanelli. He would not have had it any other way."
A 'triple crown' career
Griffiths won the World Championship in 1979 as a qualifier. He went on to complete snooker's illustrious "triple crown" by winning the Masters in 1980 and then the UK Championship in 1982.
He stayed at the top end of the sport during the 1980s and early 1990s, reaching at least the quarter-finals of the World Championship for nine straight years, and reaching the final again in 1988.
In later years, Griffiths became a coach, inspiring the likes of Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams and Mark Allen.
'A legend of a man'
Williams was among the first to pay tribute on social media, describing Griffiths as a "mentor, coach, friend, legend".
Allen added: "What a legend of a man who helped shape my career and life both on and off the table. Absolutely heartbroken. He wasn't just a coach, he was family."
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