Dave ‘El Blondie’ Colclough Dies at 52 From Cancer

(Photo: Hollyroodpr.co.uk)

David Colclough, one of the UK’s most successful and well-respected poker professionals has lost his battle with cancer at the young age of 52, passing away on October 18th.

Known on the poker scene as ‘El Blondie’ on account of his ever-blonde locks, Colclough amassed tournament earnings of some $2,629,950 over a 20 year career, making him Wales’ second most successful player behind Roberto Romanello.

Born in 1964 to a Welsh mother and English army marine father, Colclough learned to play cards at a young age – even serving detention twice for playing poker in the common room while at school - but it was a career as an IT specialist which consumed the first part of his adult life.

Poker, however, was never far away from Dave’s mind. Combining his career and poker, Colclough was a regular Channel 4’s Late Night Poker TV show, a gritty and exciting cash game which attracted many UK fans to the game.

It was only in 2000, however, after making the final tables of both the $2K and $2.5K PLO events at the World Series of Poker that he finally gave up on his IT career and became a full-time professional poker player.

He didn’t have an easy start though, as funnelling his poker winnings into an unsuccessful nightclub project saw him have his only losing year at the tables – claiming the stress of the venture seriously affected his play.

He bounced back the following year with an incredible 33 final tables and cashes which propelled him to the top spot in the European rankings and saw him being named 2003 European Player of the Year. Beyond those borders he also picked up second spot in the $1,500 Limit Omaha event at the WSOP.

His incredible consistency saw him become one of the most feared players at most poker variants and he was also the brains behind Blonde Poker. He was inducted into the European Poker Players Hall of Fame in 2005, at the age of 41 the youngest inductee at that time.

Tributes from those who knew Dave and those who had the pleasure of meeting him both on and off the poker tables have been pouring in – long-time UK friend and poker foe Joe Beevers tweeting…

Devastating news. https://t.co/FM3p0YTCKf

— Joe Beevers (@joebeevers) October 19, 2016

…while Hendon Mob’s Barny Boatman said:

A rare combination of sharp mind and easy manner, Dave Colclough was universally liked & admired. Thoughts with his family & close friends.

— Barny Boatman (@barnyboatman) October 19, 2016

With fellow legend of the poker scene Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott passing away last year, the UK has now lost two of its most charismatic and popular players, but both will be remembered for everything they contributed to the game throughout their careers.

RIP Dave Colclough