Barry Hawkins Battles Grief and Glory: Heartfelt Tribute to Late Mentor During UK Championship

Snooker star Barry Hawkins shared heartfelt words for his late mentor, Les, whose funeral he missed to compete in the UK Championship. Speaking after his match, Hawkins described Les as a pivotal figure in his career and life.

“It’s strange, this game. There’s somebody looking down on me,” Hawkins reflected. “Today was Les’s funeral, bless him—the man who gave me my table at the club and let me play there for the last 15 years. If I wasn’t at the club, he was always on my case, urging me to practise. I’ll miss those voice calls. He had such a big influence on me.”

Hawkins expressed deep regret about missing the funeral, revealing that he would have traveled home had there been a break in his schedule. However, he felt Les would have encouraged him to stay and focus on the tournament. “I contributed to the charity they requested donations for. It’s a shame, but I know Les would have wanted me to crack on and do well for him,” Hawkins added.

Balancing his grief with the pressures of competition, Hawkins admitted, “Out there, you’re in a little bubble, focused on the job. But this morning, my thoughts were with his family. He will be dearly missed.”