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Willie Thorne dancing with Erin Boag
Willie Thorne born as William Joseph Thorne (born 4 March 1954 in Leicester, England), is a former English professional snooker player and now a commentator. He now lives in Broughton Astley, England.
Willie Thorne in Series Five
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In 1970 Willie became national under-16 champion at both snooker and English billiards. He won the snooker tournament (the Classic in 1985) and the same year, he got to the UK Championship final against Steve Davis, but it Steve who took the frame and eventually win the title. He reached the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship in 1982 and 1986.
Willie Thorne in Strictly Come Dancing Series 2007
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In the mid-1980s he was ranked No.7 in the snooker world rankings. During this time he was also battling a serious gambling problem. One of these included Willie betting £38,000 on a match involving John Parrott. Willie bet that Parrot would lose but Parrot actually recovered from a slow start and won. Thorne also admitted in an interview with the Guardian Newspaper, that he bet £20,000 on one horse. He was forced to sell off his snooker club in Leicester as he fell into serious debts.
Willie is often referred to as "the Homer Simpson of Snooker" because of his bald head. He is a famous commentator on snooker for television on the BBC and Sky Sports. He has appeared in the popular song "Snooker Loopy", written and performed by Chas & Dave.
He is regularly known as "Mr. Maximum" because he has hit nearly two-hundred 147 breaks in practice, though only one in tournament play. Willie is known as the ‘missing link’ between old-school percentage play and the current aggressive potting game. He is also known as a skilled break-builder.
Willie Thorne won the World Seniors Masters in 2000 - beating Cliff Thorburn in the final.
Willie will be dancing in series 5 of the Strictly Come Dancing show with Erin Boug as his dance partner.
Willie Thorne’s official website:
www.thegreatwt.co.uk
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