Paul Hunter has died

Rob249 · 09-10-2006, 21:55

After a long battle against leuekeamia Paul Hunter died earlier today.My thoughts go out to his family.

slinky · 09-10-2006, 22:14

You mean paul Hunter the snooker player??

please don't say it's him.....

slinky · 09-10-2006, 22:22

I have just read the news on the web.........

he only died at 8:20pm tonight. I am shocked to say the least.........

VERY sad day for snooker. R.I.P paul - Made his mark on the world with some of the best snooker coming from such a young lad

Will be sadly missed.

Rob249 · 09-10-2006, 22:22

Yes just seen it on sky sports news

Rob249 · 09-10-2006, 22:24

Its a very sad day for snooker.I thought that he was getting better.

slinky · 09-10-2006, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob249

Its a very sad day for snooker.I thought that he was getting better.

You and me both Rob...... I'm soo shocked. So bloody young too!!! I can't believe it.

slinky · 09-10-2006, 22:27

The three-times Masters champion from Leeds passed away at 8.20pm at Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield, five days before his 28th birthday.

The death of the popular Yorkshireman will bring immense sadness to the snooker world and to British sport.

Hunter was diagnosed 18 months ago with neuro-endocrine tumours, a rare form of cancer which causes slow-growing tumours in the lining of the body to release excessive amounts of hormones.

He underwent several gruelling courses of chemotherapy in hope of beating the disease, but to no avail. His condition deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks and he was taken into the hospice on Saturday.

Hunter leaves behind wife Lindsey and daughter Evie Rose, who was born on Boxing Day 2005.

World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker said: "I’m sure that everyone who met Paul, as well as his millions of fans and the sporting public as a whole, will join me in sending most sincere sympthies to Lindsey, Paul’s parents, his family and friends.

"Paul was a man who had everything going for him - an oustanding talent, good looks, fame, riches, charm and a beautiful wife. This shows us just how quickly life can change.

"It’s a bitter blow for snooker but most importantly for his family and our thoughts are with them."

Hunter grew up in Leeds and attended Cardinal Heenan High School, spending most of his spare time developing his natural aptitude for snooker. He was coached in his formative years by 1986 World Champion Joe Johnson.

After winning the Pontin’s Star of the Future event twice, he turned professional in 1995 and made an immediate impact, beating Stephen Hendry on his way to the semi-finals of the Welsh Open at the age of just 17.

Two years later he returned to the same event at the Newport Centre to win his first ranking tournament, beating John Higgins in the final to establish himself as a major contender in the sport.

That victory helped Hunter break into the top 16 and he continued to climb the rankings to reach a career peak of No 4 in 2004/05. He won the Welsh Open again in 2002 and the British Open later that year.

But Hunter’s most significant success came in snooker’s most prestigious invitation event - the Masters.

In 2001, he reached the final at Wembley for the first time and came from 7-3 down to beat Fergal O’Brien 10-9. His comeback was aided by a flurry of rapid high scoring as he rattled in four century breaks in six frames.

His media profile developed swiftly and he became known as the ’Beckham of the Baize’ for his glamorous image.

Hunter won the Masters twice more in the next three years, remarkably both times by a 10-9 scoreline after recovering an apparently insurmountable deficit.

In 2002 he came from 5-0 down to beat Mark Williams and in 2004 over 5million viewers on BBC Sport saw him beat Ronnie O’Sullivan having trailed 7-2.

When the diagnosis of cancer was announced in April last year, Hunter promised his fans that he would be as "tenacious and positive" in his fight against the disease as he had been throughout his snooker career.

Despite suffering from considerable pain as well as numbness in his limbs, he bravely competed on the circuit throughout the 2005/06 season. He subsequently announced his wish to take a break from snooker in order to receive more treatment.

In July this year, his fellow professionals voted for a change to the contitution of the WPBSA which allowed Hunter to successfully apply to have his official world ranking frozen at No 34 for a season.

But the news that Hunter will no longer grace the green baize will cause great sorrow to the likes of Matthew Stevens, Jimmy Michie and his many other close friends on the circuit.

Backstage at snooker events, Hunter’s charisma, cheerful persona and laid-back approach to life made him universally popular among players, officials, media and fans. He will be sadly missed by all.

His unselfish nature and appreciation of his support is underlined by an incident at the 2005 China Open in Beijing.

Following his first-round match, Hunter was requested for a press conference. When he did not appear within 20 minutes, his whereabouts was sought.

Hunter was soon discovered in the arena, patiently signing autographs and having photos taken with Chinese fans, and he remained there until every request was met. This was just a few days after he had been diagnosed with the disease which was to bring his end.

Rob249 · 09-10-2006, 22:40

At least now he can rest in peace, and will no longer have to suffer anymore, tho it is so sad to pass away at such a young age.

slinky · 09-10-2006, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob249

At least now he can rest in peace, and will no longer have to suffer anymore, tho it is so sad to pass away at such a young age.

I know what you mean

Alot of people will be mourning his death tonight.

Doug · 09-10-2006, 23:39

God Bless.

slinky · 10-10-2006, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyclaret

was he the nice looking one with lovely blonde hair and a big smile...he looked so fit and healthy...R.I.P..

Yes GC he was the very good looking one with the blonde hair

I used to like looking at his bottom when bent over the table........

God bless

grannyclaret · 10-10-2006, 20:27

was he the nice looking one with lovely blonde hair and a big smile...he looked so fit and healthy...R.I.P..

WillowTheWhisp · 10-10-2006, 20:55

He'd actually been quite optimistic about making a full recovery not long ago hadn't he? There was an interview on the radio where he said that he was looking forward to getting back to playing properly again.

harwood red · 10-10-2006, 21:36

very sad to hear RIP Paul and my thoughts are with his very young family

slinky · 11-10-2006, 18:25

DATE SET FOR HUNTER FUNERAL

The funeral of tragic snooker star Paul Hunter will take place at Leeds Parish Church on October 19.

The 27-year-old Yorkshireman died after a 19-month battle with cancer in a Huddersfield hospice on Monday night.

Wife Lindsay, mother of the couple's 10-month-old daughter Evie, issued a statement to announce her "heartfelt thanks" for recent support.

She said: "I would very much like to express my heartfelt thanks to all our family, friends, Paul's fellow professionals, fans, and the media for their incredible support since we lost Paul.

"It is an enormous source of comfort to me, and further evidence that Paul was a very, very special person indeed.

"He was also the absolute love of my life, a totally devoted father to our beautiful daughter Evie, and he will always mean everything to us.

"I hope you will understand that I do not wish to say any more until after his funeral has taken place, and I kindly request you allow us to grieve in peace and privacy."

Prior to the funeral, Hunter's coffin will lie in wait in the Lady Chapel at the same church from October 17 at 9.30pm for the two days prior to the funeral service. A book of condolence will be available for all visitors to sign.

The family have stated their wish to provide flowers for the church service, but donations can be made to Hunter's chosen charities - The NET Patient Foundation, or Kirkwood Hospice, Huddersfield.

A minute's silence will be held in Hunter's memory before Thursday's Betfred Premier League matches featuring Ken Doherty, Ding Junhui, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jimmy White at Preston's Guild Hall.

Hunter's manager, Brandon Parker, said: "On Monday, the world lost a very special person, and I lost the closest of friends and working companions.

"Paul travelled the world in his quest to promote his sport, and his country. I was always taken aback by his simple humanity and manners.

"He had a unique ability to put people in all walks of life at ease and on an equal terms. Paul's cheeky smile, vogue looks and warm spirit filled rooms and wooed audiences wherever he went.

"He was a 'champion of the world' and snooker will do well to recognise his talent and goals in driving the sport to new levels of competition in a fashionable sporting manner."