Snooker/Death of Paul Hunter: Jimmy White was playing for Paul Hunter's cancer charity when he learned of the three-time Masters champion's death.

Hunter lost his 18-month battle with cancer on Monday, five days short of his 28th birthday, and the news silenced the room in which good friend White was playing an exhibition match.

"I was playing for his charity last night, to do with the cancer he had," the six-time world finalist said yesterday. "I was halfway through the exhibition and a guy gave £10,000 to the charity and then we got the news.

"We knew he was very sick and he was close, but we got the news halfway through the exhibition. The whole room went silent and it was quite eerie really.

"It's so, so sad - I'm totally gutted. It's beyond human comprehension. I can't get my head round it. That's the wonder of this wicked world, I suppose."

White joined the many tributes to one of snooker's most charismatic young players, who earned the nickname "Beckham of the baize" because of his good looks and flamboyant style.

Hunter leaves a wife, Lindsey, and daughter, Evie Rose.

He was diagnosed with neuro-endocrine tumours of the lining of his stomach in March, 2005. He continued to play on the circuit when his treatment would allow, and saw his world ranking frozen as a gesture from the World Snooker Association.

He appeared to be beating the disease, but his condition deteriorated and he was taken to Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield last Friday.

Hunter's best World Championship performance was reaching the semi-finals in 2003, where he led Ken Doherty 15-9 before the Dubliner stormed back to win 17-16.

"He had everything, the world at his feet, and it's such a shame," said Doherty. "He was one of our characters and a fantastic player who was magnanimous in defeat."