Tributes have poured in for Wales rugby great Barry John, who has died at the age of 79.

The former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half who was born in Cefneithin on January 6, 1945, died peacefully in hospital on Sunday, February 4, 2024.

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 was nicknamed 'The King' by New Zealand journalists after he inspired the Lions’ famous 1971 Test series victory over the All Blacks - to date the only Lions victory over New Zealand.

He won 25 Wales caps between 1966 and 1972 before retiring from rugby at the age of 27. At this point, he had won a Grand Slam and two Triple Crowns as well as the Lions win over New Zealand.

During and following his career, he was named as one of - if not the - greatest players and was one of the first inductees into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1997. In 1999 he was inducted onto the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame's Roll of Honour before being added to the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015.

Terry Cobner, current WRU president and former Wales and British and Irish Lions back-rower, said: “To be crowned ‘The King’ in New Zealand when every back row forward in both the North and South Islands is trying to take your head off is quite some accolade.

“For me, he has got to be right up there among the greatest outside halves who have ever played the game – probably the greatest.

“He was a glider, rather than a sidestepper, who had a subtle change of pace and direction. Coming on top of the recent deaths of Brian Price and JPR Williams, this is another huge blow for Welsh rugby.

“After what he did for Wales and the Lions in 1971, those of us who followed him into both teams always felt we had huge shoes to fill. He was and will remain a legend of our game.”

He also played in five Lions Tests on their 1968 and 1971 tours. He scored 180 points in 16 games in the 1971 tour, including 930 of the 48 points in the four test matches.

John played his club rugby for Cefneithin RFC before moving to Llanelli in 1964 and then Cardiff three years later 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.

His retirement - coming due to the pressure of fame and expectation - surprised many across the rugby world. When England played Wales in 1972 he was ambushed after the game by Eamonn Andrews and rushed off to the TV studios for a special edition of ‘This is Your Life’.

He couldn’t book a table in a restaurant under his own name and once caused a traffic jam on Queen Street in Cardiff one day.

“I was waiting at the lights to cross the road, and somebody left their car idling to come and shake hands. Others joined in, and before long there was a massive tailback,” he recalled.

He lived in Cardiff and is survived by his wife Janet and children Kathryn, Lucy, Anna and David.

Full-back JPR Williams, another star of Welsh rugby’s golden era, died four weeks ago.

“This is another huge loss for Welsh rugby coming on the back of the very recent deaths of JPR Williams, Brian Price, David Watkins and Clive Rowlands. Barry was an iconic figure in world rugby and will remain so,” said WRU chairman, Richard Collier-Keywood.

“His partnership with Gareth Edwards was the greatest of all-time and enabled Welsh and UK rugby to sit proudly at the top of the world game. He inspired generations of players, thrilled millions of fans and was always guaranteed to swell any gate at the venue at which he was playing.

“He is one of the greatest sportsmen ever produced in Wales, and is still talked about as the best No 10 of all-time in world rugby. That says it all about him.”

Cllr Darren Price, leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “Barry John was a magician on the rugby field and, whilst his time on the international rugby arena was short, he gave so much pleasure to so many people. There are generations of rugby fans born after he retired from playing who are mesmerised by footage of his majestic skills.

“This son of Cefneithin and Carmarthenshire was nicknamed “The King” in New Zealand, of all places, and we are very proud of him.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Barry’s family and friends at this sad time. He will be greatly missed.”