Ray Reardon, six-time snooker world champion, dies aged 91

Ray Reardon, who has died at the age of 91. Photograph: PA

The six-time world champion Ray Reardon has died at the age of 91, World Snooker has announced. The Welshman, who dominated the sport in the 1970s, passed away on Friday night, having previously been diagnosed with cancer.

“Ray is one of the best sports people ever from Wales and the best snooker player,” said the former world champion Mark Williams. “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.”