Name: Snooker legend Willie Thorne has died after leukaemia battle
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Snooker legend Willie Thorne has died after leukaemia battle

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PRIVACYPRIVACYThorne enjoyed a 26-year playing career in professional snooker, winning 14 worldwide titles and reaching the UK Championship final in 1985, before moving into commentary with the BBCSnooker legend Willie Thorne has died aged 66 after a short battle with leukaemia.The former world No.7 had been in an induced coma in the intensive care ward at Torrevieja Hospital, Spain, after suffering respiratory failure on Sunday.Thorne was diagnosed with leukaemia back in March and has had several health issues since, while undergoing chemotherapy treatment while residing in his rented flat in Alicante.He had to undergo three blood transfusions following his initial diagnosis, before returning to hospital in May for heart checks and an MRI scan.His latest admission to hospital was following a drop in his to dangerously low levels, with medical staff opting to place him in an induced coma.Read moreDespite being placed on a ventilator, he sadly passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning.A message on his GoFundMe page read: "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!CONTINUE READINGShow Player"Willie went into septic shock and was not responding to any treatment so the decision was made by the hospital to turn off the machines"I was with him all the way to his end and reading out messages to him from people."He passed away very peacefully and without pain listening to his children saying they love him&nbsp;&nbsp;that gives me some comfort in this difficult time."Over here in Spain everything happens very quickly so today myself and his family will he making plans and will inform you accordingly!"It disappoints me some what that people were tweeting he has passed away when he was still holding on and with us!"I guess that’s celebrity life...."Thank you so very much to everyone that has been involved in Willies care you have all been absolutely amazing and Willie couldn’t have asked for better"Thank you for all the donations that enabled him to get the care he needed!"This will now pay for his funeral."Thank you for all the well wishes and beautiful messages of support xxx."Big names from the world of snooker and beyond tweeted their tributes to Thorne following the sad news.Gary Lineker, a fellow son of Leicester, posted: "Deeply, deeply saddened to hear that my friend Willie Thorne has passed away. One of life’s great characters."A marvellous snooker player and a lovely man, who’s potted his final black much too soon. RIP Willie."TV star Richard Osman tweeted: "So sorry to hear of the death of Willie Thorne. Spent lots of time with him in Sheffield, and came back with so many funny, but unrepeatable stories. RIP."Former world snooker champion Dennis Taylor added: "Devastating news about Willie Thorne. We laughed our way around the world for 45 years. RIP Great One. That was my name for him. The Great WT. Lots of love to his family."Fellow ex-world champ Neil Robertson said: "So sad to hear about the passing of Willie Thorne last night. One of the games great characters and will be missed greatly. RIP."And Leicester City posted: "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."Thorne had a successful career in snooker as a player after turning professional in 1975.He won 14 worldwide titles, and reached the final of the UK Championship in 1985, losing to Steve Davis having led the tie 13-8 at one stage.Nicknamed Mr Maximum - for holding the record for most maximum 147 breaks - he also reached the quarter finals of the world championships in both 1982 and 1987; his best performances in the tournament.Arguably his finest hour came in the final of The Classic in 1985, where he beat Cliff Thorburn to win his only ranked tournament.Read moreSport top storiesMost Read{{#articles}}{{/articles}}After retiring in 2001, Thorne moved into commentary and became one of the voices of the BBC, having first worked for them in the 80s.Away from the table, Thorne was open about his troublesome addiction to gambling, which he admitted 'cost him dear', but hoped by speaking out he would help others in a similar situation.Show moreHis addiction eventually left him with over £1million in debts in 2015, and later saw him declared bankrupt.More recently he helped Sport Relief raise money and awareness for homelessness, while also taking part in a TV series focused on highlighting the issue of testicular and prostate cancer.Show moreHe had married for the second time to former Miss Great Britain Jill Saxby in 1995, who played a big part in helping Thorne overcome his addiction, but the pair separated in 2019.A fundraising page had been set up for Thorne by his friend and carer, Julie O'Neill, who provided fans with regular updates on his health prior to his death.Thorne leaves behind three children of his own and two step children.Follow mirrorMore onGet the latest news

PRIVACYPRIVACYThorne enjoyed a 26-year playing career in professional snooker, winning 14 worldwide titles and reaching the UK Championship final in 1985, before moving into commentary with the BBCSnooker legend Willie Thorne has died aged 66 after a short battle with leukaemia.The former world No.7 had been in an induced coma in the intensive care ward at Torrevieja Hospital, Spain, after suffering respiratory failure on Sunday.Thorne was diagnosed with leukaemia back in March and has had several health issues since, while undergoing chemotherapy treatment while residing in his rented flat...

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Snooker legend Willie Thorne has died after leukaemia battle

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