Career
He never really converted this early promise into professional success, only ever winning one ranking snooker tournament (the Classic in 1985). The same year, he reached the United Kingdom Championship final against the then dominant Steve Davis, and seemed to have built himself an unassailable 13–8 lead. Thorne later said that he had hardly looked at the blue, considering it a certainty.
He reached the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship in 1982 and 1986.
He peaked at northern 7 in the rankings in the mid-1980s, while also battling a serious gambling problem. In one famous incident, Thorne bet £38,000 on a match involving John Parrott, betting that Parrott would lose as Parrott had lost his personal cue and had to use one supplied by the venue.
Also, in an interview with The Guardian newspaper in 2004, Thorne admitted to placing bets worth up to £20,000 on a horse. Thorne"s bald head makes him instantly recognisable and he is often referred to as the "Homer Simpson of Snooker".
He has become a popular senior character in the game, commentating on snooker for television on the British Broadcasting Corporation and Sky Sports as well as British Broadcasting Corporation Wales for the Welsh Open.
Alongside other Matchroom professionals, Thorne featured in the popular song "Snooker Loopy", written and performed by Chas & Dave. In the verse which begins "Willie Thorne, his hair"s all gone", Willie"s cameo line was "Perhaps I ought to chalk it", in reference to his gleaming head putting off his opponents. Willie also appeared in the "Romford Rap" video with the rest of the "Matchroom Mob".
Thorne has been described as a skilled break-builder and possibly the "missing link" between old-school percentage play and the current aggressive potting game.
He took 19 seasons to record 100 competitive century breaks. Ranking wins: (1)Editorial Non-Ranking wins: (6)Editorial.