Stephen Hendry's ex-wife says snooker hero is 'narcissist' who put career before family

Stephen Hendry's former wife has accused the snooker ace of sacrificing his family for his career. In a new book, Hendry writes about the guilt he felt following the break-up of his marriage, which happened after he fell for a woman 20 years his junior.

Stephen Hendry's former wife has accused the snooker ace of sacrificing his family for his career.

In a new book, Hendry writes about the guilt he felt following the break-up of his marriage, which happened after he fell for a woman 20 years his junior.

Now his ex-wife Amanda has had her say. She claims Hendry was selfish and “cold” and that she and their two sons played second fiddle to his career.

She also said she was driven to the depths of despair when he left her.

Amanda, 50, added: “He rarely cancelled anything to be there for us – not even an exhibition match. It will always be about him. He’s a narcissist.”

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Amanda added: “He’s cold. He doesn’t care, which is why he’s been so successful at his sport.”

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Amanda spoke about her devastation as their marriage disintegrated following his relationship with Lauren Thundow.

She added: “Never in a million years did I think he would cheat on me – and with a silly girl. I was so angry and hurt.

“I suddenly understood why people might want to end their lives when it all becomes too much.”

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Hendry, 49, left Amanda in December 2013 after confessing that he had feelings for Lauren, who was 23 at the time. It was a cruel blow for Amanda, who was married to the snooker champion for 19 years. They met in 1985, shortly before he turned professional.

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In his book Me and the Table, Hendry revealed that a baby boy Amanda lost when she was seven months’ pregnant had been conceived by IVF.

According to Amanda, her family members and friends weren’t aware of that until he made it public.

She said: “It was our secret. I can’t believe he would write about it.”

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In the book, Hendry said telling his children he was splitting from their mum made him feel “like the worst person in the world”.

But he said he couldn’t live with the guilt of continuing with his marriage while in love with Lauren. Accountants who were brought in to assess the South Queensferry born snooker star’s financial affairs during drawn-out divorce proceedings were unable to find any trace of a fortune that Amanda believed had been amassed during his playing career.

She said: “I had no idea what he was worth at any stage but I thought we must have a lot because we never spent any of it.”

Showjumper Amanda claims she sold her lorry, used to transport her horses, and a barn, where she kept animals, after he told her he needed money as their fortune was tied up in investments.

In his book, Hendry, who retired from the game in 2012, admits he was in debt when he decided to quit playing professionally.

Amanda said she sold her horse and other belongings to open a fashion boutique in Auchterarder, Perthshire, near the family home.

She also claimed she tried to sell her diamond engagement ring, which Hendry told her cost £25,000.

Amanda added: “When I tried to sell it last year, I was told by five separate jewellers it was flawed and only worth a fifth of that. Why wasn’t I surprised?”

A spokesman for Hendry said he pays regular maintenance and acknowledges in the book that the success of his career relied on the support of Amanda and his family.

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