BBC broke tragic snooker ace Willie Thorne’s heart by sacking him says ex-wife
EXCLUSIVE: The sporting legend, who died last year from leukaemia, was fired as a commentator after 30 years and former wife Jill Saxby says this broke his heart
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Tragic snooker star Willie Thorne’s ex-wife has told how the BBC broke his heart by sacking him.
Jill Saxby said it sent him into a spiral of depression and debt.
The decision to fire him as a commentator after 30 years in 2017 caused an outcry among top stars including Stephen Hendry.
During that year’s tournament Willie had been warned for accidentally swearing on air.
But Jill said Willie – who died from leukaemia aged 66 in June – never got a reason for being axed.
Jill said: “Willie loved that job and was loved by the ex-pros and fans. He lived for the Crucible, he’d been there since day one as a player and commentator. We even met there, it has special memories.”
The former Miss GB was with him when he received the news in his car.
She said: “It was on loudspeaker and I heard every word. They just said his contract wasn’t being renewed.
“The colour drained from his face and he had to pull over.
“As far as I know after that call he didn’t hear a word from the BBC. The door was closed.
“After that he just went into a spiral of depression. It was like he was grieving for the job.
“I could have accepted it if they gave a reason but they didn’t, just calling it an ‘editorial decision’.”
Willie had already battled depression and a gambling addiction for years and had been declared bankrupt after losing £1million.
Jill, 60, added: “At the time one of snooker’s sponsors was a casino or bookmaker. I wondered if they didn’t want to be associated with a gambling addict.
“He tried to put a brave face on it but all the old demons he had been battling came flooding back and his confidence went.
“From that moment on I really lost him. It was the start of the end. He had terrible mood swings, he stopped caring about himself.”
They moved to Villamartin in Spain to try for a fresh start but split after 24 years together.
Jill said: “We were friends at the end, we spoke every day. It was heartbreaking that I couldn’t go and visit him because of the Covid.
“I couldn’t get over for the memorial service either but I did send a message which was read out which was nice.
“Now the World Championships are on I can’t bring myself to watch it because of what the BBC did.
“I did see a players tribute to Willie on the BBC at the start of the tournament but it just brought all the bad memories of Willie’s sacking back.”
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