Former snooker champion Ray Reardon passed away at the age of 91 after battling cancer, as confirmed by his wife, Carol. Reardon, known for winning six world titles between 1970 and 1978, was a key figure in popularizing the sport during the 1970s television boom. His iconic widow’s peak hairstyle earned him the nickname ‘Dracula’. He also won the first Pot Black series on BBC Two in 1969 and was awarded an MBE in 1985.
After retiring in 1991, Reardon worked as a consultant for Ronnie O’Sullivan, contributing to his 2004 world title victory. In 2016, the trophy for the Welsh Open was renamed the Ray Reardon Trophy in his honor. Fellow Welsh snooker player Mark Williams, a three-time world champion, praised Reardon as one of the best sportspeople to come out of Wales and a major influence on his own career.
Other snooker legends, such as Jimmy White, Mark Selby, and Dennis Taylor, expressed their sadness at Reardon’s passing, highlighting his immense contribution to the sport. White described Reardon as a “class act” and a “giant of the game”, while Selby referred to him as a “legend”. John Virgo, a former player and commentator, expressed his admiration for Reardon, calling him a “true great” of snooker.
Stuart Bingham, the 2015 world champion, shared a touching moment when he received the Welsh Open trophy from Reardon in 2017, describing it as one of his proudest moments. The snooker community mourns the loss of Ray Reardon, a true icon of the game whose legacy will continue to inspire players for generations to come.
