By Elliott West
‘Willie will be a great loss to those he has left behind. We will miss his jokes, and he could joke could Willie. Back in the days when we started out as professional in snooker it was different to what it is now”.
A quote from John Virgo’s eulogy at Willie Thorne’s funeral.
Introduction
With his bushy moustache and trademark bald head, Willie Thorne was an instantly recognisable figure by those who watched and didn’t watch snooker. Like a pair of comfy slippers, he fitted in well into this bustling sport of cut and thrust.WIllie had several strings to his bow, a talented snooker player, commentator and after dinner speaker, Thorne worked tirelessly throughout his career to nurture the game he dearly loved but alas didn’t reap the benefits of silverware. A man who was loved by most but loathed by some for his gambling demons and the various debts he failed to pay back to people throughout his life. Someone who suffered from depression but always kept it hidden, burying his tears to present public smiles instead.
The Man Himself
Willie Thorne was a very talented junior player, someone who was actually banned from playing at his local Conservative club due to monopolising the snooker table. Rising through the junior ranks, Thorne turned professional in 1974 at the age of 20 and competed in the first World Championship to be held at the Crucible Theatre in 1977, losing in the last 16 to Graham Miles 13-4 and would go on to reach two quarter-finals in 19 appearances.
His sole triumph would come in 1985 when he won the Mercantile Classic where he beat Kirk Stevens, John Virgo and Steve Davis to reach the final before defeating Cliff Thorburn 13-8 in the final. Famously remembered for the easy blue that he missed to the middle pocket off its spot in the 1985 UK Championship final against Steve Davis, it was a miss that would haunt him for the rest of his playing career. A final and title that could have been his especially as he had led the game 13-8, only to see his lead ebb away before his eyes. Willie would win several other minor titles in Hong Kong, New Zealand and Southend, twice a finalist in the Irish Masters and the winner of the first World Seniors in 2000.
Life after Snooker
Retiring as a professional in 2001, Thorne had already kept his powder dry by turning his hand to snooker commentary and was widely respected for his analysis on the BBC and Sky Sports. However the world would come crashing down when oblivious to the fact that the microphone was still on, he was caught swearing live on television and was promptly sacked by the BBC. It was a sacking that he never really recovered from and was reduced to one event a year, the Welsh Open for BBC Wales and televised World Seniors tournaments.
On a downward spiral and despite television appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and a celebrity version of the Full Monty, WT started to feel more and tired, an alarm bell that signalled the onset of leukaemia and a battle that would ultimately rob the world of this lovely man. I knew Willie for the last years of his life and always found him approachable, warm and someone who wasn’t afraid to tell me how he was feeling. I was one of the few people that were at the end of a phone when he was seriously ill and last spoke to him when he was rushed into intensive care in Spain with breathing problems.
His last words to me in 2020 were poignant, saying that he wanted to die and several days later he was gone. Our friendship was brief but lasting and still feel his presence and encouragement in my life especially when I am writing. A light that may have gone out but will shine brightly in our lasting memories. We salute you, Willie Thorne!
