A former Llanelli postman delivered one of the most memorable lines in snooker after shooting himself into the final of the world championships.

Virtual unknown Terry Griffiths had just beaten Eddie Charlton in a tense semi-final and was plonked in front of a TV camera to ask how he felt.

Not used to the glare of media attention, the only words the rising star could muster was: "I'm in the final now, you know!"

But he became far more famous for his play than for his interviewing gaffes.

Griffiths had been playing the game since he was a teenager and won the Llanelli and District championship when he was aged 16.

However, he did not take the sport completely seriously until he was 25 and entered the Welsh Amateur Championship.

He won the title at the first attempt, and after becoming the English amateur Championship, he turned pro in 1978.

Twelve months after giving up the day job to concentrate on snooker full-time Griffiths shot himself to fame during the 1979 World Championships.

After his methodical dismantling of Eddie Charlton, he went on to beat Dennis Taylor 24-16 — becoming world champion at the first attempt.

But the following year the "Crucible Curse" would strike as Griffiths fell at the first hurdle of his defence to Steve Davis.

He would never reclaim the title again, despite a valiant performance in the 1988 final against Davis.

But Griffiths would take plenty of other titles such as the Masters in 1980, and win the UK title Pot Black after beating Alex Higgins in a thrilling 16-15 match.

He also won the World Team Cup with Wales in 1979 and 1980.

Although he was often teased about his slow and deliberate style of play during his playing days, Griffiths is still a popular figure in the sport.

Griffiths retired from professional play in 1997, but has not vanished from the game - far from it. He initiated a Welsh Junior Snooker Academy, based in 1998 and has been coach to Marco Fu, Stephen Hendry and, until recently, Mark Williams.