Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77 after a lengthy battle with dementia, his family confirmed on Sunday evening. Tributes poured in overnight from snooker royalty, including Judd Trump, Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy, after the Llanelli-born cue man passed away peacefully in his South Wales home town.

“To our friends and snooker followers in general, we are deeply saddened to share the news of our loss,” Griffiths’ son, Wayne, wrote on Facebook.

“Terry Griffiths OBE 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.

“A proud Welshman, Terry was born in Llanelli, brought pride to Llanelli and now he has found peace in Llanelli. He would not have had it any other way.”

Griffiths was born in 1947 and started playing snooker at the age of 13. In his early years, he fit the game in alongside his jobs as a miner, a bus conductor, a postman and an an insurance agent.

He later turned professional and achieved a stunning World Snooker Championship win as a qualifier in 1979.

By winning the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982, Griffiths is among only 11 players to complete snooker’s triple crown.

The Welshman lifted 18 titles across his career and was among the sport’s finest stars throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

Griffiths retired in 1997 and, 10 years later, received an OBE for his services to snooker. He has been publicly credited as an inspiration for fellow greats, including Stephen Hendry and Mark Allen.

Following his UK Championship victory on Sunday, world No. 1 Judd Trump paid his respects to Griffiths.

He said: “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. It is hard to connect with some of the older generation, but he was someone I felt I could get along with. It is a sad day for Welsh sport.”

Three-time world champion Williams was among the first to speak out on the news, hailing Griffiths as a “mentor, coach, friend, legend.”

He posted on X: “RIP. Looked after me since playing in HSI Club every Sunday since I was 12. What a legend.”

Former world No. 1 Allen wrote: “Terry Griffiths… What a legend of a man who helped shape my career and life both on and off the table. Absolutely heartbroken. He wasn’t just a coach; he was family.”

Shaun Murphy added his reaction, posting: “Just hearing the news that Terry Griffiths has passed away. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Griffiths’ Welsh compatriot Jamie Clarke shared: “Simply put with many tears in my eyes, an inspiration and a legend. Rest in peace mate x.”