Dennis Taylor

Bio

Dennis Taylor gained snooker immortality in 1985 when he famously defeated Steve Davis in the final of the World Championship at the Crucible on the final black ball.

Watched by over 18.5m people, the final remains perhaps snooker’s most revered match and the pinnacle of Taylor’s distinguished professional career.

Earlier in the season he had claimed his first ranking title at the 1984 Grand Prix with a 10-2 demolition of Cliff Thorburn. He followed his Crucible success with victory at the Masters in 1987, edging countryman Alex Higgins in 1987 to claim the second leg of snooker’s Triple Crown Series.

Six years prior to his Crucible success, he also reached the final of snooker’s biggest tournament, losing out 24-16 to Terry Griffiths. The result was, however, enough to see him climb to a career-best ranking of number two in the world.

Alongside his playing career, Taylor has also established himself as one of snooker’s most recognisable commentators, most notably for the BBC.

Taylor has been a popular figure on the World Seniors tour for many years and, after defeat to Barry Pinches at the 2021 World Seniors Championship, announced that it would be his final competitive match.