Legendary Welsh out-half Barry John dies aged 79

Wales rugby great Barry John has died at the age of 79.

The former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half died peacefully in hospital, his family announced.

A family statement read: "Barry John died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children.

"He was a loving Dadcu to his 11 grandchildren and much-loved brother."

John, who shocked the rugby world by retiring in 1972 at the age of 27, established himself as one of the greatest ever out-halves in the late 1960s and early 70s.

He was nicknamed The King by New Zealand journalists after he inspired the Lions' famous 1971 Test series victory over the All Blacks, won 25 Wales caps between 1966 and 1972.

The zenith of his career was in 1971, when he was the creative force behind Wales' first Grand Slam winning campaign of the decade and subsequently started at 10 for the Lions in the triumphant tour in NZ.

John played his club rugby for Llanelli and then Cardiff, where he struck up a half-back partnership with Gareth Edwards that went on to flourish for Wales and the Lions.

John was partnered by Edwards in 23 of his Wales international appearances, plus all five Lions Tests – one against South Africa and four against New Zealand.

Wales won three Five Nations titles, a Grand Slam and two Triple Crowns during John's stint on the international stage, and he remained in rugby after playing, reporting and writing columns for the Daily Express and Wales on Sunday.

Another star of Welsh rugby's golden era, full-back JPR Williams, died four weeks ago.

With addditional material: PA