Ray Reardon obituary: Former miner became six-time world champion

Born in Tredegar, Reardon worked as a coal miner and a police officer while building a reputation in the amateur game before turning professional at the relatively late age of 34 in 1967.

It was a major step to leave a secure job at a time when he did not own a home, but the gamble paid off handsomely as he quickly established himself as one of the most popular characters in the game.

His rivalries with John Spencer and the flamboyant Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins made for some of the most compelling sporting contests on television at the time.

His first world title came in 1970, when he beat John Pulman 39 frames to 34.

There followed a gap until 1973, when he beat Australian Eddie Charlton in the final. That was the first of four consecutive titles, culminating in his victory over Higgins in 1976 – the last championship before the move to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Reardon won the title again in 1978, and topped the world rankings until 1981, when the emergence of Steve Davis heralded a new era.

He reached the World Championship final again in 1982, but lost to Higgins.