20世紀80年代中期的排名7,同時也爭奪一個嚴重的賭博問題。[1]在一個著名的事件,索恩投注£38,000涉及比賽的約翰-帕洛特 ,博彩,帕洛特將失去作為帕洛特失去了他的個人線索和不得不使用場地提供的。 Thorne's bald head makes him instantly recognisable and he is often referred to as the " Homer Simpson of Snooker", [ 4 ] and he has become a popular senior character in the game, commentating on snooker for television on the BBC and Sky Sports.
Much to Thorne's dismay (not least because he was actually commentating on the match), Parrott recovered from a slow start to win, only worsening Thorne's debts. [ 2 ][ 3 ] Also, in an interview with The Guardian Newspaper in 2004, Thorne admitted to placing bets worth up to £20,000 on a horse.
威利的驚愕不是至少因為他是實際上的比賽解說的是,帕洛特恢復從緩慢開始贏得的,只有不斷惡化威利的債務。2004年,索恩考上一匹馬身價高達2萬英鎊的投注。 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.