Ray Reardon, the Welsh snooker legend and six-time world champion, passed away on Friday night after battling cancer, his wife Carol confirmed on Saturday. He was 91 years old.
“Ray Reardon, widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker players ever and a six-time world champion, has died at the age of 91,” a statement from the World Snooker Tour announced.
Jimmy White, one of snooker’s most popular players, expressed his sorrow on X, saying, “Gutted to hear my very good friend Ray Reardon has passed away. A total class act and very kind to me when I was making my way in the game. A giant of the game. Rest in peace, mate.”
Reardon dominated the snooker world in the 1970s, winning six world titles between 1970 and 1978. His contributions to the sport were recognized with an MBE in the 1985 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Nicknamed ‘Dracula’ after donning a cape, top hat, and scarlet silk jacket during the 1974 World Championship final, Reardon became a household name as snooker gained popularity in Britain, thanks in part to the Pot Black television programme. “Someone decided the outfit made me look like Dracula, and that name stuck to me more than most,” Reardon once remarked.
Reardon’s career was marked by a fierce rivalry with the flamboyant Alex Higgins, famously known as the “Hurricane.” Their clashes included a memorable 18-15 defeat in the 1982 World Championship final.
Before becoming a snooker icon, Reardon worked as a coal miner and served as a police officer for eight years. He narrowly survived a mining accident when a 12-foot girder and a deluge of rubble trapped him for three hours. He recounted the harrowing experience in his autobiography, describing the intense pain and eventual relief as rescuers freed him.
Reardon retired from professional snooker in 1991 at the age of 58 but continued to contribute to the sport. Notably, he served as a consultant to Ronnie O’Sullivan during O’Sullivan’s successful run to the 2004 world title.
Ray Reardon’s legacy as one of snooker’s greatest players will be remembered by fans and fellow players alike.