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Ex-World Snooker Championship referee dies as emotional tributes pour in

A former World Snooker Championship referee has died.

Former snooker referee Peter Williamson has died (Picture: Getty Photographs)

Veteran snooker referee Peter Williamson has died. Born in Merseyside, 77-year-old Williamson had been unwell earlier than his loss of life. With a profession spanning three many years from 1991 to 2021 on the World Snooker Tour, he was one of many sport’s most recognised referees.

He as soon as cited his favorite match because the 2009 Shanghai Masters semi-final between Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins, which O’Sullivan received 6-1 earlier than occurring to beat Liang Wenbo 10-5 within the remaining. Williamson officiated seven most breaks and in addition refereed the World Billiards Championship remaining 5 occasions. Recognized for his light nature, his tragic loss was shared by fellow referee Eirian Williams.

Williams mentioned: “Peter and I began on the skilled tour on the similar time in 1991 and we grew to become agency buddies from the beginning. Often known as a referee with a ‘secure pair of palms’, he was an ever-present on the circuit. We exchanged visits round 4 occasions a 12 months the place he’d stick with myself and Alison and I would keep at his. My remaining go to to him was simply final week.

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“I will miss him terribly, Relaxation In Peace Pete.” Tributes have poured in throughout social media, with snooker announcer Phil Seymour posting on X: “Very unhappy to listen to of the passing of Peter Williamson. A beautiful man who I’ve by no means heard a nasty phrase mentioned about. He’ll be sorely missed.

“Ideas are along with his household and family members.” Former snooker skilled Mike Dunn shared phrases about his “buddy” saying: “Actually unhappy to listen to that former skilled snooker referee Peter Williamson handed away this morning , such a tragic lack of a stunning caring man and buddy on the snooker circuit for a few years, RIP buddy x.”

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A cherished determine throughout the sport, social media tributes mirrored Virgo’s character and legendary standing. Ronnie O’Sullivan, who had beforehand described the Englishman as a ‘mate for all times’, posted on X: “Completed my match to get the information that JV has handed away. Like to Rosie, Brooke and Gary. Such a terrific mate who I cherished spending time with, completely gutted.”

Stephen Hendry, a seven-time world champion and colleague of Virgo, shared on Instagram: “Was solely a few weeks in the past I used to be with JV within the commentary field on the Masters, he was the best to work with. No person recreated the thrill of a match like him. The place’s the cueball going. Very unhappy information, completely gutted.”

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