Many people think that achieving excellence in snooker signifies a wasted youth.
However, for Terry Griffiths, snooker served as a refuge from a difficult upbringing.
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Yesterday, tributes flowed in for the sophisticated world snooker champion who died on Sunday at the age of 77, following a lengthy battle with dementia.
The proud Welshman was among a select few—only 11 players—to have ever achieved snooker’s Triple Crown.
While he secured the Masters title in 1980 and subsequently the UK Championship in 1982, it was his astounding victory against the odds that earned him global fame when he won the World Championship in 1979 during his debut.
Snooker star Mark Allen expressed his thoughts on X/Twitter: “A genuine icon who had a profound influence on my career and life, both on and off the table.”
“I am deeply mournful. He wasn’t merely a mentor; he felt like family.”
Terry, born Terence Martin Griffiths on October 16, 1947, in Llanelli, south Wales, was the youngest of three siblings.
As the son of a tin-plate worker, he demonstrated remarkable academic promise and attended a grammar school. Nevertheless, the absence of friends from his local secondary modern school, particularly after failing the 11-plus exam, led to a phase of truancy.
Terry frequently skipped school to reconnect with his companions, ultimately resulting in his expulsion from grammar school. He later associated with friends like Phil Bennett and Derek Quinnell, who eventually became prominent Welsh rugby figures.
He encountered probation twice for minor theft but successfully avoided a path toward criminality after discovering Hatcher’s snooker hall in Llanelli.
By age 13, he was already playing snooker on a mini-table with his father and winning money from coal miners through informal matches.
‘Worked my charm’
At 15, he started as an apprentice miner in Pontarddulais, earning five shillings a week; however, the demanding hours conflicted with his snooker training. He subsequently transitioned to being a bus conductor, which afforded him more time to practice.
It was on the bus’s upper deck that he met Annette, the love of his life, now 75.
In his autobiography, Terry recalled: “I was on the late shift when she got on my bus.”
“She rode for a few stops while I attempted to impress her. It must have worked because shortly after, she ended her relationship with her boyfriend to be with me.”
Terry married young at 21 in 1969, and they welcomed two sons: Wayne, who is now a snooker coach in Hong Kong, and Darren, a professional golfer.
Wanting to enhance his skills, Terry accepted a postman’s position. The first national postal strike in 1971 offered him two months of uninterrupted practice time.
That same year, he was the runner-up in the Welsh Championships.
Adjusting his work hours for tournaments, he shifted to selling insurance door-to-door.
A major breakthrough came when he captured the English Amateur Championship in 1977 and defended his title in the following year. At 30, this prompted him to pursue a full-time professional career.
Embracing this ambition meant Annette had to take up employment in a car radiator factory to sustain their household finances.
In 1979, he entered the World Championships in Sheffield for the first time, defeating Alex “Hurricane” Higgins and eventually beating Dennis Taylor in the final.
The prize of £10,000 and the potential for an annual income of £75,000 enabled him to purchase a luxurious home in Burry Port on the Carmarthen coast, complete with a snooker room.
In 1987, he established his own snooker club in Llanelli, where he trained local talent, including a young Mark Williams at just 12 years old.
Even after gaining world champion status that allowed him to command substantial appearance fees, Terry honored a prior commitment to perform at a small club in Kilgetty near Tenby.
Tom Bedford, a journalist sent by his local paper to cover the event, remarked: “This illustrates the type of person Terry was; despite being a world champion, he adhered to the fee he accepted before his victory.”
That year, UK champion John Virgo stayed with Terry and his family while competing in various events in Wales. Virgo recounted a morning when he opened his bedroom curtains to see Terry washing his car—an act that exemplified Terry’s kindness.
A teetotaler, Terry, was known to be a heavy smoker, often consuming ten cigarettes during matches. During a trick-shot demonstration at the Hong Kong Masters with Jimmy “Whirlwind” White, Terry found himself struggling with his shots and appeared wobbly, reminiscent of someone intoxicated.
Underdog story
When asked how he was feeling, Terry humorously quipped: “I just had one of Jimmy’s roll-your-own cigarettes. They’re wonderful, aren’t they?”
In a time when only three TV channels existed, snooker players became cultural celebrities.
The public warmly embraced Terry’s underdog narrative as the sport evolved from smoky venues to prime time television.
His cheerful personality won many hearts, and his distinct hairstyle was featured in Chas & Dave’s 1986 hit “Snooker Loopy,” where he jokingly sang, “I’ll buy another eight hairbrushes for me barnet.” Terry remarked: “My life transformed drastically overnight, but I remain the same person I was in 1979.”
After an illustrious 18-year career at the top of the sport, Terry retired in 1997 at the age of 49 to focus on coaching and commentary after being defeated by Mark Williams, the young player he had mentored since he was 12.
In 2007, he received an OBE for his contributions to snooker.
Tragically, six years ago, BBC Wales snooker reporter Gareth Blainey became concerned when a polished broadcaster like Terry appeared for an interview, asking: “What topics will they discuss with me?”
This early warning sign indicated Terry’s battle with dementia. Gareth reflected: “Terry was incredibly witty and sharp. Seeing him struggle with dementia is genuinely heartbreaking. It’s such a cruel affliction.”
Barry Hearn, a long-time promoter for Terry, expressed his condolences, saying: “A great friend has passed. I doubt anyone could ever speak ill of Terry — he was truly one of the kindest, most straightforward individuals you would ever meet.
“He was one of our finest ambassadors on a global scale.”
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