Ray Reardon, a former world snooker champion known for his dominance in the 1970s, has died at the age of 91. The Welshman, who had been battling cancer, passed away on Friday evening, according to his wife Carol.
Reardon, nicknamed ‘Dracula’ due to his distinctive widow’s peak hairstyle, was a towering figure in snooker. He claimed six world titles between 1970 and 1978 and became a television star during the game’s boom period. He won the first Pot Black series on BBC Two in 1969 and was made an MBE in the 1985 Queen’s Birthday honours.
After retiring in 1991 at age 58, Reardon continued to contribute to the sport, notably as a consultant for Ronnie O’Sullivan, helping him secure the world title in 2004. In recognition of his contributions, the trophy awarded to the winner of the Welsh Open was named the Ray Reardon Trophy in 2016.
Reardon’s legacy is celebrated by many in the snooker world. Mark Williams, a three-time world champion, credited Reardon for inspiring many to play the game, alongside other greats like Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, and Steve Davis. Jimmy White expressed his sorrow at the loss of his “close friend,” praising Reardon as a “class act” and “a giant of the game.” Mark Selby called Reardon a “legend,” while John Virgo and Dennis Taylor also paid tribute, highlighting his status as a true gentleman and a great of the sport. Stuart Bingham reflected on the honor of receiving the Welsh Open trophy from Reardon in 2017, calling it one of his proudest moments.
