Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths dies aged 77

Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths has died at he age of 77 after a long battle with dementia, his family has confirmed.

The British player came through qualifying to beat Dennis Taylor in the 1979 Crucible final and also won the Masters and the UK Championship to complete the sport’s illustrious Triple Crown.

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… 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.”

The World Snooker Tour described Griffiths as an “all-time snooker great”, adding: “Our sincere condolences to Terry’s family and many friends. He was loved and respected by everyone in the sport.”

The Welshman was a fixture at the top of the sport during the 1980s and early 1990s, reaching at least the quarter-finals of the World Championship for nine straight years — including the final again in 1988.

He retired from playing after a first-round defeat by Mark Williams at the 1997 World Championship.

Griffiths coached a number of top players including Williams, Stephen Hendry and Mark Allen.

Three-time world champion Williams described Griffiths as a “mentor, coach, friend, legend” on social media.

World number one Judd Trump, who won the UK Championship on Sunday, was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: “It is incredibly sad news. He is a legend of the game.

“Terry was a very witty guy. Whenever I was at the Welsh Open, he would come over and make a joke. I had a good connection with him.”

Tony Drago meets

Griffiths crossed paths with Maltese player Tony Drago on three occasions.

The Welshman beat Drago in a 1989 Classic last 32 tie and in the 1989 Asian Open, in the last 16.

On the other hand, Drago defeated Griffiths during the 1991 World Masters quarter-final in England.