Willie Thorne was warned he "could die" during hospital stay.
The snooker legend – who was diagnosed with leukaemia in March – was rushed to hospital on May 2 from his villa in Spain after suffering from gout in his left leg, which left him unable to walk.
During his time in Torrevieja Hospital, Willie has had three blood transfusions, as well as several MRI scans and checks on his heart, and although he is now beginning to feel better, his friend Julie O’Neill has said doctors originally warned him he may not survive his hospitalisation.
Julie made her comments as part of a fundraising page that has been set up to help the 66-year-old sporting star as he struggles financially.
She wrote: "He has been asking when he can go home but they said they need to get to the bottom of what is going on because it’s very dangerous and if he goes home without them knowing or managing what’s going on then he could die!"
And the following day, she added: "No more information in regards to results – they still don’t understand exactly what’s going on yet!
"He’s very tired but I think having a visitor, even just for half-an-hour, made him feel a little better."
Willie has since begun to see his health improve, and he hopes to return home this week.
Earlier this week, Julie wrote: "After a good few days on intravenous antibiotics it is looking likely that Willie will be able to go home on Friday.
"Fingers crossed there are no further complications and he will be able to return home, with the home care nurses being able to continue treatment daily."
As of the time of writing, Willie’s page has raised over €19,000 of its €30,000 target, thanks to donations from the likes of former football legend Gary Lineker – who is one of Willie’s best friends – who gave €1,000 to the cause.
Spanish golf star Miguel Jiminez donated €200, and British golfer Danny Willett has donated €2,000.
Willie was declared bankrupt in 2015, and his ill health paired with the current coronavirus pandemic have made it impossible for him to earn any money at all over recent months.
Willie Thorne warned he ‘could die’ during hospitalisation
