Willie Thorne  

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Willie Thorne's career has been showered with success since he won the British Isles Under 16 Title in 1970. Three years later he added the under 19 Crown but narrowly failed to capture the English Amateur championship losing in the 1975 final.

Willie first appeared on BBC's "Pot Black" series shortly after turning professional in 1977 and in 1980 he landed the coveted Pontins Open before taking the Pontins Professional Title as well in 1984.

Willie's first World Ranking success came a year later in the Mercantile Credit Classic as thrilling wins over Steve Davis and Cliff Thorburn clinched victory. Willie beat Steve Davis again to win the Matchroom Trophy in 1986 and rounded off a remarkable season by taking the Hong Kong Masters. Willie has won 13 tournaments world-wide.

Now 42, Willie has been a regular in the World's Top 16 and has 158 maximum breaks to his credit.

Willie is a regular guest on many top-rated TV chat and Game Shows including Wogan, You Bet, Big Break, Noel's House Party, Generation Game, Question of Sport and a regular pundit on Sky Television's coverage of snooker and has just completed sixteen half hour programmes on Sky as a Host of Cue Masters Series.

Willie Thorne has few peers in British Sport. Top class performers in any sporting discipline are a rare breed but few have the ability to entertain and hold an audience. A scarce commodity indeed that has made Willie one of the nation's most popular sporting stars and also well known as an after dinner speaker for many sporting and golf days.