~ The death of Paul Hunter at the age of 27 ~. Review on Snooker

Paul Hunter fell asleep watching the World Snooker Final in May, oblivious to the climax on the Crucible stage where he had dreamed of lifting the old trophy for almost as long as he could remember.

Although Hunter's 27-year-old body was weakened by repeat bouts of chemotherapy, he refused to entertain the notion that he might be losing his battle against the rare form of cancer that had him in its cruel grip. Paul Hunter fell asleep for the last time on Monday evening, 19 months after doctors found the neuro-endocrine tumours that would eventually take his life.

Snooker, a close-knit sport for all its global aspirations, is in deep mourning for a gifted young man who would undoubtedly have been as popular a world champion as the modern game has seen.

Already there is a feeling among fellow players that his name should now be linked to a tournament trophy, with the Masters, which he won three times at Wembley, being the most appropriate. The leading stars, who voted to freeze his standing in the world rankings — he had already plunged from five to 34 — while he took this season off to fight the battle of his life, would applaud such a move.

It was at the Masters that Hunter's charisma burned brightest, although it was in Sheffield that he most wanted to shine, having been "devastated" by a 17-16 semi-final defeat against Doherty in 2003.

But while Hunter's story is tragic, for his talent at the table was as big as his personality off it, he refused to cut the sorrowful figure he might easily have become, playing out his painful ordeal in the public eye. Hunter earned the respect and admiration of all who knew him for his bravery under fire. But deep down, he feared a losing battle.

Pin-up Paul was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, a rare form of intestinal cancer, in 2005.

He wowed fans with his flamboyant play and was nicknamed the Beckham of the baize. The former world No 4 clinched back-to-back Wembley Masters titles in 2001 and 2002, then won again in 2004. His first victory was famed for him disappearing during a break in play to romp with Lindsey in a hotel.

Many people will have been totally unaware that Hunter was so close to the end - and probably that's ho his family wanted it. No glare of publicity, no endless George Best-style updates of his condition. A quiet, dignified exit in a hospice in Huddersfield.

We will recall the good times - the three Masters titles, his amusing revelation that he enjoyed bouts of sex in between sessions in order to pep up his play. (Add your own cue jokes here.) And let it not be forgotten that Hunter was a talented player.

Hunter's achievements:

Welsh Open 1998, 2002.

Masters 2001, 2002, 2004.

British Open 2002.