The seven-time world snooker champion Stephen Hendry has paid his respects to Terry Griffiths, who has passed away at the age of 77, describing him as “a great man and a great player”.

Griffiths, who worked as a miner, postal worker, and bus conductor before turning professional in 1978, achieved the pinnacle of snooker success by winning the world title in his debut year at the age of 31, defeating Dennis Taylor in the 1979 final. The Welshman went on to become one of the most recognizable figures during the 1980s snooker boom, alongside legends like Steve “Interesting” Davis, Alex “Hurricane” Higgins, and “the Whirlwind” Jimmy White, reaching the No 3 spot in the world rankings.

Griffiths, though less flamboyant than many of his peers, was no less formidable. He is one of only 11 players to have won snooker’s triple crown, securing victories in the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982. Post-retirement in 1997, he transitioned into a highly successful coaching career and became a beloved TV commentator. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, he was awarded an OBE in 2007. His family announced his passing on Sunday night, revealing that he had been living with dementia.

Hendry, who was among the many players Griffiths mentored, including Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and Ding Junhui, was one of the first to pay tribute. “Terrible news about Terry Griffiths,” Hendry wrote. “He was a great man and a great player. He had a very funny, dry sense of humor and always gave his honest opinion. His understanding of the game was unparalleled.”

Williams, a three-time world champion, shared a photo with Griffiths on X, accompanied by a heartfelt tribute: “Mentor, coach, friend, legend.” Allen, currently ranked No 5 in the world, expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “He was a legend who shaped my career and my life both on and off the table. I’m heartbroken. He was more than just a coach; he was family.”

Reflecting on his 1979 world championship win, Griffiths admitted that he had gone to Sheffield without any expectations, merely hoping to enjoy himself and gain some exposure to earn money from exhibitions. However, after a thrilling 13-12 victory over Higgins, he embarked on a remarkable run, including a 19-17 win over “Steady” Eddie Charlton in the semi-finals and a 24-16 triumph over Taylor in the final.

“I never believed I could win,” Griffiths recalled. “I lost 14lbs in Sheffield due to stress and lack of sleep. I had never played so many frames in my life. From working as a miner at 15 in Pontarddulais, then becoming a bus conductor and a postman, and later working in insurance, to suddenly becoming the world champion. In my first year, I won £75,000, and we didn’t know what to do with it. My wife and I, both coming from council houses, thought, ‘Let’s spend it!’”

Griffiths’s son Wayne confirmed his father’s death on Facebook, stating, “To our friends and snooker followers, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Terry Griffiths OBE. He passed away peacefully on 1 December, after a long battle with dementia, surrounded by his family in his beloved hometown in South Wales. A proud Welshman, Terry was born in Llanelli, brought pride to Llanelli, and now rests in Llanelli. He would have wanted it no other way.”

World Snooker issued a statement honoring Griffiths as an “all-time snooker great,” adding, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Terry’s family and many friends. He was loved and respected by everyone in the sport.”

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