Jethro Salmon

Jethro (fourth from the left) with his colleagues

All at World Snooker are greatly saddened to hear the news that Jethro Salmon, a table fitter for World Snooker Services, has passed away at the age of 25.

Jethro was an excellent and valued table fitter as well as a very popular character backstage on the circuit and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our sincere condolences go to Jethro’s family.

A minute’s silence was held in the arena at Alexandra Palace before the start of the match between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Marco Fu.

After the match, O’Sullivan said: “It’s the most horrendous thing, to lose someone at the age of 25 who has been on the circuit with us. Before the match there was a feeling that it is a really horrible day. My heart goes out to his family, we’re with them all the way. The snooker circuit is one big family and we’ve lost a member.

“I’m not a philosophical person but sometimes you have to realise what is important, and things like snooker, how many Masters I have won, how many Worlds I have won – it really doesn’t matter. What’s most important is that you live life to the maximum because you don’t know what is around the corner.”