SNOOKER fans turned out in their droves to meet the “Whirlwind”.

Queues to see Jimmy White stretched out of Waterstones and along Coney Street as the memorable player signed copies of his autobiography.

Second Wind charts the many ups and downs of the former Masters champion and sparked controversy earlier this month when he revealed he had a secret drug habit in the 1980s. Jimmy is in York for the UK Championship at the Barbican, but spent time chatting to supporters yesterday after winning his latest match on Wednesday.

Kirstie Lounts, events manager at the store, said: “It was fantastic.

”Jimmy is really chilled out and was more than happy to have a chat to everybody.

”He posed for pictures with lots of fans.

”He said he loves York and is going to have two days off looking around the city.”

A limited number of copies of his signed book are available at Waterstones, priced £18.99.