Snooker’s stars rally behind axed Thorne

SNOOKER stars have rallied to the defence of popular BBC commentator Willie Thorne after he was unexpectedly axed from coverage of the channel’s two top events. Thorne broke the news on Twitter, saying: ‘After more than 30 years the BBC have decided not to use me at the UK and world championships. I’m only at the Welsh (championship in February).’ The 63-year-old’s message was met by an outcry, led by Stephen Hendry. The seven-time world champion, a commentating colleague of Thorne (right), said: ‘Gutted my friend will not be at York and Sheffield. Bad decision.’ Another BBC colleague, the 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, said: ‘One of the best I’ve listened to and worked with. The Great WT, you will be sorely missed.’ A BBC spokesman said: ‘This is an editorial decision. Willie has done a great job for the BBC and we wish him well in the future.’ The move comes at the end of a traumatic few years for Thorne. Last year he was declared bankrupt after borrowing £1million from friends to fund his betting addiction after the death of his mother Nancy in 2013. Suffering from depression, Thorne later said he was going to kill himself, only for wife Jill to find him in the nick of time. He also had surgery for prostate cancer. Thorne was at a loss to explain his axing yesterday, saying: ‘I don’t know why it happened, but I know I have felt better. It has got me down, but life goes on. I have a lovely wife and family. I’m grateful for all the kind words.’