Here is my piece on someone I predict has a bright future in snooker. Emilio Bassili is only 11 years old and has already done so much. A star of Cuestars and always hard at work at Whetstone Snooker Club on the practice table with his dad John at his side.
#Snooker
#147sf
At this time of the World Championship, our thoughts go out to Terry Griffiths and his family. Terry has been diagnosed with dementia. A brilliant player and coach. Here is my piece on his 1979 victory.
#Snooker
It's been 45 years since the world of comedy lost one of its most talented British comedy actors. A star of The Lovers, Porridge and Rising Damp, Richard Beckinsale left this world far too early after suffering from a heart attack in his sleep at the tender age of 31 in 1979.
It's sad to hear that the former snooker commentator and Snooker Scene founder Clive Everton is currently very unwell. Here is my piece on a man whose dulcet tones lit up a snooker stage for decades.
#Snooker
Apparently Keanu Reeves is a snooker fan. This shot was taken when he recently popped into the Arizona Snooker Academy. Reminded him of the days when he used to play snooker in Toronto.
#Snooker
#147sf
Today is the middle Sunday of the World Championship and the day which has been become known as Paul Hunter Day. A snooker player who won the Masters three times and sadly passed away from cancer in 2006, aged 27. Here’s my piece on the beautiful relationship he had with Lindsey.
Here is my tribute to Dene O’Kane who has sadly passed away at the age of 61. A great former professional snooker player from New Zealand who made the quarter-finals of the World Championship twice and whom I was lucky enough to spend some time with.
#Snooker
#NewZealand
A 91yrs of age former Bevin Boy and policeman from Torquay compiled a 100 break at snooker on the match table (with very tight pockets) at his local club earlier this afternoon 👏👏👏👍👍👍😊😊😊
Very emotional to learn that my snooker inspiration Ray Reardon has passed away at the age of 91. He shares my Grandfather’s surname and is from the same part of South Wales. A trailblazer in snooker and inspired me to write so many pieces about him. Here is one as an apt tribute
As snooker prepares for the Masters next week, here’s my piece on Duncan Richmond. Duncan is one of the small and specialist team of cameramen that make televised snooker possible and definitely an unsung hero
#Snooker
Moving the World Championship away from the Crucible is a barmy idea. It will kill off this unique venue that is steeped in snooker history. Saudi Arabia can keep their £5 million prize money because they or whoever is not getting their hands on our national treasure. Here is my
With a tear in my eye and a heavy heart, I have to announce the sad passing of one of my true snooker heroes. Doug Mountjoy passed away earlier today but this Welsh legend will always live in the memory of every snooker fan. A man with grit and determination. RIP Doug x
The fairytale story has happened. My friend
@robmilkins147
wins the Welsh Open and £230,000 in prize money. An amazing and emotional moment and after 28 years of hard work. Viva Rob!
Sad to hear that Terry Griffiths has dementia. My thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time. Here is my piece on his 1979 World Championship victory.
As the Masters begins, let’s take a moment to remember one of the greats of this tournament, the late Paul Hunter who won this event three times.
#Snooker
#147sf
I just wanted to update you all on
@TheWillieThorne
’s medical situation. WT is currently in ICU and due to respiratory failure on Sunday is now receiving mechanical ventilation and has been put in a induced coma. I have held off on updates to respect the family. 🙏 WT x
It was at this time last year that my dear friend
@TheWillieThorne
became ill with Leukaemia. As we approach the World Championship this Saturday, let’s take a moment to remember this great player and commentator
#Snooker
#147sf
It’s 40 years since Auf Wiedersehen Pet was first shown in November 1983. Here is my piece on this fantastic show that was ahead of its time.
#Aufwiedersehenpet
It is with great sadness and a breaking heart that I have to announce the passing of my good friend
@TheWillieThorne
WT passed in the early hours of this morning after a courageous battle with leukaemia. I will forever miss you and thank you for being you xxxx
Saddened to hear the news that Dickie Davies has passed away, aged 94. Dickie was the anchorman for World of Sport from 1968- 1985 and presented a number of snooker tournaments on Thames and ITV during the 1970s and 1980s. A great loss and one of the icons of my childhood.
As 15 year old snooker player, Stan Moody wins his first Snooker Shootout match, beating Lu Ning 53-27, here’s my earlier piece on this rising snooker star.
#Snooker
#147sf
#Snookershootout
Here is my latest piece on Liang Wenbo, a professional snooker player who chose the path of deceit and corruption over the integrity of snooker, ending his career disgraced with a life-long ban.
#Snooker
Sad to hear that Clive Everton has the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease. However he will still continue to make regular contributions to Snooker Scene magazine.
This was one of the best World Championships in its history. Over 500 million viewers worldwide and one that produced top-quality snooker. Luca Brecel is a worthy champion and his win produces so many opportunities not only for him but for snooker itself.
Congratulations 🎉 to John Astley who has knocked out defending UK champion
@nr147
6-2. ⛽️ Fuels the amateur debate but John was a decent player when he was a professional and deserves this win. He now gets a foot on the ladder and is £6,500 richer as a result
#Snooker
#147sf
Happy Birthday to Clive Everton MBE who turns 86 today. A brilliant snooker commentator and a nifty billiards and snooker player in his day. Here is my piece on this snooker treasure.
#Snooker
#147sf
A sad day tomorrow as my good friend Willie Thorne is laid to rest tomorrow in Spain but he wouldn’t want us to be sad for long so here is Willie as I knew him, charismatic and just a funny person. Love you mate x
Just wanted to update on WT’s health with his permission. Willie is in hospital at the moment after a lengthy period of time feeling very ill. Thankfully the hospital team have found out that WT has a major infection and treating him with meds. He is slowly getting better.
Here is my piece on Brinsworth House in Twickenham, Middlesex. A residential home for retired entertainers where Charlie Drake, Norman Wisdom, and Mike Yarwood have all lived and where Richard O’Sullivan still resides.
John Parrott puts away his cue for the final time and retires from competitive play after losing 3-0 to Nigel Bond in their World Seniors match tonight. This makes way for another player to join the tour.
#Snooker
#147sf
Much has been said about Willie Thorne’s battle with gambling and depression. However, I was lucky enough to become a friend of this gentle soul. To me, he was a just a pal who I could pick up the phone and call. I am glad I was there for him in his last days
I have been given permission by
@TheWillieThorne
to give an update on his health. WT has an aggressive form of leukaemia which he says he is determined to fight. Please come through me if you need further information and respect WT’s privacy at this time.
As many towns and cities in this country begin a clear-up after several days of violence, aggression and looting, here is my piece on why it is totally unacceptable and should never be tolerated.
#Politics
Thanks 🙏 for all your heartfelt comments for my piece on Willie Thorne. It was emotional to write a piece frankly about my dear friend and his struggles with gambling and one that took two years to prepare myself to be able to write. I love ❤️ you WT.
Congratulations to Ronnie O’Sullivan on winning the Grand Prix, his third title on a spin after winning the UK Championship and the Masters. Too many errors for Judd Trump tonight, had him under the cosh but let the final get away. 4-0 to 7-10.
As we enjoy the World Championship, let’s take a moment to remember my dear friend Willie Thorne. Here is my tribute to my pal. A true gentleman and never forgotten.
#Snooker
Today marks the 75th anniversary of Windrush and here is my piece to celebrate these men and women who helped enrich this country in so many ways.
#WindrushGeneration
#Windrush
#Windrush75
This is probably one of the best World Championships there has been. Three of the semi-finalists have never won it and I would love to see a new name on the trophy.
Today marks the fifteenth year anniversary of Paul Hunter’s passing. A three times Masters champion, Paul lit it up the baize with his natural talent and will always be sadly missed by the snooker community. Here’s my tribute to the great man himself
I once sat behind John Higgins on the balcony at the UK Championship in York. He walked in with a ticket and was showing it to the usher.
@kendoherty1997
walked past me before doing some filming for the BBC and said “Hello 👋 Elliott” and Damien Hirst was sitting next to me
Alex Gordon Higgins was born on this day in 1949. Here’s my piece to celebrate the life of this true snooker genius who left this world too young.
#Snooker
Today has been a very difficult day and I have been struggling emotionally after losing my friend WT. I know he is in a happier place but I will always miss our conversations and it will take me a while to come to terms with him not being here x
Thanks for the massive support for my piece about snooker in Turkey 🇹🇷 yesterday, especially from the good people of Turkey. Outstanding views with 959 views yesterday and 347 views today so far. I feel very humbled and grateful.
#Snooker
#147sf
Congratulations to
@ronnieo147
on his 8th UK Championship title after defeating Ding Junhui 10-7. Can’t take anything from Ding though, played well throughout the tournament. Here is my piece on Ronnie and the man who is a genius at snooker.
The wait is nearly over as we approach the highlight of the snooker season, The World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. For all the latest news, visit my social media pages from someone who lives and breathes snooker, writes regularly on it and has been a keen
Thank you
@BBCSport
for your poignant tribute to my dear friend Willie Thorne. It was lovely to hear the heartfelt memories for this gentleman of snooker. WT’s death has left a void in my life and I am sure that is the case of everyone who knew this gentle soul
Alex Higgins paved the way for the modern game. A trailblazer in his own right, Alex made snooker look easy and produced a style of snooker that went off the Richter Scale. A man who lived life on the edge and whose existence was snuffed out far too soon by malnutrition. Here is
Stephen Lee’s snooker ban comes to an end in October, 2024 with Lee contemplating a return to professional snooker. Should he? Here’s my piece on this controversial story that is topical because of the alleged match-fixing in snooker at the moment.
Absolutely brilliant documentary on Ray Reardon just shown on BBC1 Wales. My snooker hero and shares my Grandfather’s surname. Both from the Welsh valleys and both my inspiration in life.
#Snooker
#147sf
Sad to hear the news today that former professional snooker player, Barry West has passed away. Here’s my piece as a tribute to the great man.
#Snooker
#147sf
Remembering my dear friend WIllie Thorne on the anniversary of his passing on this day in 2020. Here’s the piece I wrote at the time as a tribute.
#Snooker
#147sf
Here’s another airing of my piece on the legendary Jam Pot Snooker Club in Belfast and its association with the snooker genius that was Alex Higgins.
#Snooker
#147sf
The right decision by Stephen Hendry to turn down a two-year invitational tour card. He has hardly played any tournaments, and his performance has been poor when he has. Concentrate on other projects.
Stephen Hendrys’ comments about the Women's World Champion, Baipat Siripaporn, saying he had never seen her play, proves once again that some of the snooker pundits need to go on ITV and the BBC. Part of being a snooker pundit is knowing the comings and goings of the snooker