Former world snooker champion Joe Johnson has undergone surgery after a fall and may now be forced to retire.

The Bradford star is recovering in hospital after breaking his right ankle in three places. He had an operation to fit pins to help the fracture mend.

For Joe, 50, who has come back to form this year after health problems, the accident means that he is out of tournaments for the rest of the year.

The world champion of 1986 was the oldest player on the world tour this year.

But on Saturday evening Joe slipped down some steps near his home in Cawood, near Selby, North Yorkshire, where he moved from Bradford six months ago.

The father of six was taken to York Hospital, where doctors say he is "comfortable".

Speaking from his hospital bed, Joe said: "It's a very bad break they have said. I have had to have surgery and it is very painful.

"But the worst thing is that I will probably have to retire.

"The standard is so high now, that if you don't get into the top 96 - and I am currently number 96 - then you have to retire, it's a forced retirement."

His leg will be in plaster for another ten weeks which means Joe will miss qualifying rounds for next season.

"I think my chances are very slim," he said.Joe's snooker academy at Cue Gardens in Odsal will continue to run as normal. Friend and snooker protg Jonny Johnston, 21, said: "We will be having a whipround at the club for a present for him. We hope to visit him this weekend."

Over the last few years, Joe has pulled through several health problems.

Last summer, he recovered from a quadruple heart bypass carried out at the Yorkshire Clinic in Cottingley. He had suffered a heart attack at Yeadon Health Club in 1990 and had trouble with his heart since then.

In 2002, he also had laser treatment on both his eyes.