It is with great sadness we learned today that Lee Spick has died at the age of 34.

Mansfield-based Spick had suffered from a problem with his liver and was being treated in hospital.

Former tour player Gary Wilkinson said: “I saw Lee a couple of days ago and was due to see him again tonight. He’d had a seizure and was in intensive care but we hoped he’d get better. He was a lovely lad but lost his way recently.

“I remember when he came through as a player, he was very talented. We practised together and became mates. It’s sad that he never achieved what he could have done.”

Spick came through Q School in 2013 to earn a two-year tour card, though he entered only two tournaments last season and had not played this season.

The former English under-15 champion previously played several seasons on the main tour. In 2006 he came close to qualifying for the Crucible, beating Ricky Walden 10-8 in the penultimate qualifying round before losing 10-9 to John Parrott. Three years later he was denied at the final hurdle again, beaten 10-8 by Steve Davis. Spick also won a Challenge Tour event in 2002, beating Joe Delaney in the final.