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STEVE DAVIS and Dennis Taylor are preparing to recreate what is often dubbed the “greatest snooker match of all time.”
Referred to as the “Black Ball Final,” the 1985 Sheffield showdown drew 19 million viewers as Taylor triumphed over Davis in a thrilling conclusion on BBC Two to snatch the world title.
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Davis, who was already a three-time world champion at the time, jumped ahead with a seven-frame lead, just as expected by the bookmakers.
Nevertheless, Taylor, famous for his upside-down glasses, staged an incredible comeback, potting the final black ball to win 18-17.
The match still retains the record for UK viewership of any broadcast after midnight.
Now, at the ages of 75 and 67, Taylor and Davis are set to return to Victoria Hill for a special event, hosted by John Virgo, revisiting that legendary final and including audience interactions.
Regarding their reunion, Taylor told the BBC: “John generally invites a few guests to display trick shots, then Steve and I play a few frames, followed by reenacting that black ball final with the last few colors.
“Steve brings an excellent sense of humor to the event, and the delightful part is that during our reenactment of that final, I get to win every night…
“When he played, he was intense and focused – yet he brings such joy. I thoroughly enjoy working with him.
“The three of us engage with the audience and have a fantastic time.”
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Taylor noted that they each bring “their own unique elements” to the second half of the show, remarking on Davis’s notably humorous character.
The Menace shared that fans still approach him to reminisce about that iconic night nearly four decades ago, often requesting upside-down photos with their cameras.
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He added: “It’s a moment that everyone remembers; they can recall exactly where they were when Steve and I were battling fiercely.
“To have nearly 19 million viewers staying up past midnight to watch a match featuring a ginger-haired player against another wearing large, upside-down glasses is incredible how it captured the audience’s attention.
“Steve claims he treasures that final even more than his six victories…
“Had we realized how many people were tuning in, I doubt we would have been able to hold our cues steady.
“The audience just kept growing, and the BBC was canceling shows to continue airing it. It escalated quickly.
“The intensity for both of us was unbelievable, yet our focus remained on the game.”
Hendry ultimately won six world titles, while 1985 marked Taylor’s only championship.
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a chronological list of snooker World Champions.
The record pertains to the modern era, generally acknowledged as commencing from the 1968-69 season when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) began overseeing the sport.
The inaugural World Championships were held in 1927, interrupted from 1941-45 due to World War II and from 1958-63 due to disputes within the sport.
During that initial time frame, Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis, and John Pulman (8) were the most successful competitors.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, each having won seven championships.
- 1969 – John Spencer
- 1970 – Ray Reardon
- 1971 – John Spencer
- 1972 – Alex Higgins
- 1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
- 1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
- 1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
- 1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
- 1977 – John Spencer (2)
- 1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
- 1979 – Terry Griffiths
- 1980 – Cliff Thorburn
- 1981 – Steve Davis
- 1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
- 1983 – Steve Davis (2)
- 1984 – Steve Davis (3)
- 1985 – Dennis Taylor
- 1986 – Joe Johnson
- 1987 – Steve Davis (4)
- 1988 – Steve Davis (5)
- 1989 – Steve Davis (6)
- 1990 – Stephen Hendry
- 1991 – John Parrott
- 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
- 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
- 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
- 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
- 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
- 1997 – Ken Doherty
- 1998 – John Higgins
- 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
- 2000 – Mark Williams
- 2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 2002 – Peter Ebdon
- 2003 – Mark Williams (2)
- 2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
- 2005 – Shaun Murphy
- 2006 – Graeme Dott
- 2007 – John Higgins (2)
- 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
- 2009 – John Higgins (3)
- 2010 – Neil Robertson
- 2011 – John Higgins (4)
- 2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
- 2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
- 2014 – Mark Selby
- 2015 – Stuart Bingham
- 2016 – Mark Selby (2)
- 2017 – Mark Selby (3)
- 2018 – Mark Williams (3)
- 2019 – Judd Trump
- 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
- 2021 – Mark Selby (4)
- 2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
- 2023 – Luca Brecel
- 2024 – Kyren Wilson
Most World Titles (modern era)
- 7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
- 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
- 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
- 2 – Alex Higgins
