Griffiths worked as a miner, postal worker and bus conductor before turning professional in 1978 and winning the world snooker title at his first attempt aged 31, beating Dennis Taylor in the 1979 final. The Welshman then became one of the most identifiable players in the 1980s snooker boom alongside Steve "Interesting" Davis, Alex "Hurricane" Higgins and "the Whirlwind", Jimmy White, reaching No 3 in the world.
Griffiths was less flamboyant than many of his contemporaries but no less effective. He remains one of only 11 players to win snooker's triple crown, following victories in the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982. After retiring in 1997, he became a highly successful coach and popular TV commentator.
In 2007 he was awarded an OBE for services to snooker. His family confirmed on Sunday night that he had died after living with dementia.
This story is from the December 03, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 03, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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