Snooker legend Ray Reardon has died at the age of 91 as tributes have poured in.
The Welshman died on Friday after battling cancer, his wife Carol confirmed.
Reardon dominated the sport during the 1970s, winning six championships during the decade.
A statement on the World Snooker Tour’s (WST) official website said: “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.”
Ray Reardon died on Friday after battling cancerPAReardon, was the first player to be ranked “world number one” when world rankings were introduced during the 1976-77 season.
“Nicknamed ‘Dracula’ due to his widow’s peak hairstyle, he was one of the most popular and charismatic figures of his era, loved by millions of fans for his brilliance on the table and good humour off it”, WST said.
Reardon was still playing snooker in recent months, even making a century break last November, just a few months after his 91st birthday.
Tributes have poured in from across the snooker world as current and former players take to social media to honour the legend.
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Ray Reardon dominated the snooker world during the 70s
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Jimmy White wrote: “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.”
Mark Williams said: “Ray is one of the best sports people ever from Wales and the best snooker player. He’s one of the reasons why a lot of us started playing. He put snooker on the map, alongside Alex Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis. Anyone playing now owes them a lot because they brought popularity to the game. He is a real inspiration.”