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Snooker star’s death rocks Bredbury

Kirsty Elleray
11/10/2006

SNOOKER legend Jimmy White was hosting a charity event at Bredbury Hall when he heard the sad news that friend and colleague Paul Hunter had lost his battle with cancer at the age of just 27.

'The Whirlwind' received a phone call with the news after taking part in a snooker exhibition on Monday night at the hall - the same venue where Yorkshireman Hunter was married in 2004.

Casino 36, in Stockport town centre, bid £10,250 for Jimmy White to play snooker with members of the public at Bredbury Hall during a Paul Hunter Classic Golf event last year, which was to raise money for Leukaemia Research.

Norma Levy, sales director at Bredbury Hall, said: "We could not believe it when we heard. Paul was a regular visitor to Bredbury Hall and took part in snooker exhibitions. He was a delightful person, very kind and ordinary."

Norma Levy added: "After Jimmy got a phone call with the bad news, he told people who were at the event. He was obviously very upset."

The three-time Masters champion, who was known as the 'Beckham of the baize', was first diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer back in March 2005.

He continued to play throughout his illness and won respect and hearts for his remarkable attitude and determination despite his plight.

Paul died just five days short of his 28th birthday and leaves a wife, Lindsay, and nine-month-old daughter, Evie Rose.

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