Terry Griffiths, the former world champion and one of snooker’s most recognisable faces during the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 77.

The Welshman is one of only 11 players in snooker history to have won all of the major triple-crown events and later became a distinguished coach, helping to guide world champions Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams.

Griffiths’ own career highlight arrived in 1979 when, as a qualifier, he pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Crucible history by beating Alex Higgins 13-12 in a thrilling quarter-final before clinching the title with a 24-16 victory over Dennis Taylor in the final.

He then followed that up by winning the Masters in 1980 before mounting a brilliant comeback to complete a hat-trick of victories in snooker’s biggest tournaments by beating Higgins 16-15 in the 1982 UK Championship final.

Griffiths also reached another World Championship final in 1988, when he lost to Steve Davis, and was among Barry Hearn’s Matchroom stable of players who famously sang with Chas ‘N’ Dave for the Snooker Loopy single that was performed on Top of the Pops.

Griffiths’ passing was confirmed on Sunday evening by his son Wayne. “To our friends and snooker followers in general, we are deeply saddened to share the news of our loss,” he wrote on Facebook. “Terry Griffiths OBE passed away peacefully on 1st December, after a lengthy battle with dementia. He was surrounded by his family in his beloved home-town in South Wales. A proud Welshman, Terry was born in Llanelli, brought pride to Llanelli and now he has found peace in Llanelli. He would not have had it any other way.”

Tributes soon poured in. Former world No 1 Mark Allen, who was also coached by Griffiths, said: “What a legend of a man who helped shape my career and life both on and off the table. Absolutely heartbroken. He wasn’t just a coach, he was family.”

Williams, his fellow Welsh snooker great, added: “Mentor, coach, friend, legend.”