English poker legend David “Devilfish” Ulliott succumbed to cancer earlier today according to numerous reports.
One of the most famous poker players from the U.K., Ulliott was famous for his suave demeanour, his orange sunglasses and gold knuckledusters that he wore at the tables.
Ulliott was involved with safe-cracking in the early stages of his life before he finally found poker and went on to win over $6.2 million in live tournaments including WPT and WSOP victories.
Ulliott was 61 at the time of his death.
Devilfish: A Great Character Bigger Than Poker
Dave Ulliott
Ulliott passed away just a few weeks after news of his terminal diagnosis broke.
Last week Ulliott's local newspaper The Hull Daily Mail published a about his struggle with cancer. In the article Ulliott vowed to fight till the end.
Ulliott also mentioned he was shocked by the outpouring of support he received from friends, family and fans.
"It is hard to believe that a good looking, smooth talking guy like me can get this response from dying," he told Daily Mail.
Ulliott lived in Swanland with his wife Anpaktita. He had eight children - sons Paul, Steven, Chris, David, Mike and Matthew and daughters Kerry and Lucy.
It was apparently his family that initially broke the news about his death via Twitter earlier today:
Unfortunately Dad, Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott lost his battle with cancer today and died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. xxxDavid Ulliott (@devilfish2011) April 6, 2015
Since then Twitter has been buzzing with numerous poker players paying their condolences to Ulliott. Hereâs a collection of some of the early reactions:
We've lost a good friend. Dave Ulliot. A lovely, funny, exceptionally clever man. Bigger than the game, and poker's greatest ever character.â Barny Boatman (@barnyboatman) April 6, 2015
â@rocher6475: Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott lost his battle with cancer today" @MikeSexton_WPT sadly true this timeâ Sad is right. #pokerlegendâ Mike Sexton (@MikeSexton_WPT) April 6, 2015
My very first job in poker was ghostwriting @devilfish2011's blog. Receiving news of his passing is, as he would put it, "Shit."â Dana Immanuel (@danaimmanuel) April 6, 2015
RIP Devilfish. Talk about an entertaining poker player.â Shannon Shorr (@ShannonShorr) April 6, 2015
Goodbye Devilfish, you never failed to make laugh. No doubt those up there will enjoy your smoking shoe joke. pic.twitter.com/WXwnUXSOLrâ Kirsty Thompson (@Kit78) April 6, 2015
â@devilfish2011: Thank you for all your support xxxx @devilfish2011âTruly a sad sad day. Gone but never forgotten. One in a million xâ michael greco (@MichaelGreco2) April 6, 2015
Sad day!! RIP Dave
So sad to hear. Truly one of poker’s greatest ever characters. RIP.