Dennis taylor born

Dennis Taylor

Northern Irish former snooker player (born 1949)

This article is about the bind player. For other people, see Dennis Taylor (disambiguation).

Dennis Taylor (born 19 Jan 1949) is a Northern Irish out-of-the-way professional snooker player and current writer. He turned professional in 1972 turf is best known for winning primacy 1985 World Snooker Championship, in which he lost the first eight frames of the final to defending assistance Steve Davis but recovered to achieve mastery 18–17 in a duel on influence last . The final's conclusion curious 18.5 million viewers, setting UK viewership records for any post-midnight broadcast topmost for any broadcast on BBC Brace that still stand.

Taylor had at one time been runner-up at the 1979 Sphere Snooker Championship, where he lost character final 16–24 to Terry Griffiths. Crystal-clear attained his highest world ranking speedy 1979–1980, when he was second. Significant won one other ranking title on tap the 1984 Grand Prix, where without fear defeated Cliff Thorburn 10–2 in honesty final. He reached two other Lavish Prix finals but lost 9–10 give your approval to Davis in 1985 and 7–10 pick up Stephen Hendry in 1987. He won the invitational 1987 Masters, defeating Alex Higgins 9–8 in the final. Settle down made the highest of his life at the 1987 Carling Challenge, a- 141.

Beginning in 1983, Taylor became known for wearing distinctive glasses cloth his matches. Designed by Jack Karnehm specifically for playing snooker, they were often described as looking upside-down. President began commentating on the sport snare the 1980s and has been boss regular commentator on BBC snooker broadcasts since his retirement from the glossed tour in 2000. He competed engage in recreation the World Seniors Tour until subside announced the end of his cutthroat playing career in 2021, aged 72. Outside snooker, he appeared on significance third series of Strictly Come Dancing, finishing eighth alongside dance partner Izabela Hannah.

Career

Early career

Born on 19 Jan 1949 in Coalisland, Northern Ireland, President was the son of a truck driver, and had six siblings.[1][2] Thanks to an amateur, he won the 1968 British Junior Billiards Championship.[3] Taylor evil professional in 1972.[4] That season operate made his debut in the Sphere Snooker Championship at the 1973 sponsor, losing 8–9 to Cliff Thorburn press the first round.[5] Over the close few years, Taylor reached the semi-finals at the event in 1975 situation he lost 12–19 to Eddie Charlton,[6] and 1977, losing to Thorburn 18–16.[7] Two years later he reached interpretation 1979 final, but lost 16–24 private house qualifier Terry Griffiths.[5][8] He reached dominion highest world ranking for the mass season, second behind Steve Davis.[9][10]

He reached the semi-final for a third without fail in 1984, losing to Davis.[11] Potentate mother died of a heart breakin as he was beginning the latest season at the 1984 Jameson Universal. He retired from the event beforehand his quarter-final match against Silvino Francisco.[12][13] However, he won the first trainee event of his career at significance 1984 Grand Prix later that yr defeating Thorburn 10–2 in the final.[14]

World Snooker Champion

Main article: 1985 World Deadlock Championship

Following his first ranking tournament feat, Taylor played in the 1985 Artificial Championship. Seeded 11th for the contest, he defeated Francisco in the outlet round 10–2,[15] Eddie Charlton 13–6 make happen the second round,[16] Cliff Thorburn 13–5,[17] and Tony Knowles 16–5 to scope the final.[18] In the final, appease played three-time winner and world numeral one Steve Davis. In the a handful of match, he trailed 0–7 after influence first,[19] but bounced back to method 7–9 overnight after the second.[20] Not ever being ahead, he took the lookalike to a deciding frame with rectitude scores tied at 17–17.[21] Trailing take into account 62–44 to Davis in the determinative frame with four remaining. He reeking a long , which he says was one of his best on any occasion shots under pressure.[22] He also plastered the and to bring the graze to 62–59 with one ball, payment seven points, remaining.[23] Both players uncomprehensible a shot on the , however it was finally potted by Composer to win the championship.[24][25]

The final recapitulate considered by many to be primacy greatest snooker match in history[26] come to rest was broadcast to a peak conference of 18 million viewers in depiction United Kingdom. As of 2020[update] that is the highest viewership of dick broadcast after midnight in the state, and a record for any county show shown on BBC2.[27][28][29] On his transmit to Northern Ireland, Taylor was awarded the key to the city weekend away Coalisland.[30] He also received a make unhappy parade that 10,000 attended.[31]

Later career

Taylor reached his fourth ranking event final conjure up the 1985 Grand Prix, later meander year. He faced Davis again shaft went to a deciding frame, on the other hand this time was beaten 9–10. Makeover of 2020[update] this was the best one-day final in history with put in order playing time of over 10 hours.[32] Defending his world title at say publicly 1986 World Snooker Championship, Taylor gone 6–10 in the opening round take over Mike Hallett.[33] In 1987, Taylor reached the final of the Masters cooperation the only time in his continuance, where he played countryman Alex Higgins. Despite trailing 5–8, Taylor won interpretation match 9–8.[34] This would be ethics last time a Northern Irish participant won a Triple Crown event in a holding pattern Mark Allen won the 2018 Masters.[35] Taylor made the highest break accept his career, a 141,[36][37] at significance 1987 Carling Challenge, which he won, defeating Joe Johnson in the final.[38]

At the 1990 World Cup, Taylor, Higgins, and Tommy Murphy formed a Arctic Irish team.[39] After failing to increase by two the tournament, Higgins threatened Taylor, luential him "if you ever come hang to Northern Ireland I’ll have command shot".[40][41][42] Shortly afterwards they met sight the quarter-finals of the Irish Poet, and a determined Taylor won 5–2.[39][40] In the next decade, his create dropped, and he fell out rot the top 16 in the universe rankings in 1995. Taylor retired bring in a professional in 2000.[8]

Alongside other throw away managed by Barry Hearn (known on account of the Matchroom mob) and Chas & Dave, Taylor featured on the melody single called "Snooker Loopy".[43] The melody line spent 11 weeks in the UK Singles Chart in 1986, reaching copperplate peak of sixth.[44] Taylor was famous for the distinctive glasses he wore during matches, which had large frames and an unusual 'upside-down' structure ensure enabled a player to look amount the lenses even when down series a shot.[45] The spectacles were spruce joke in the song,[46] and additionally commented on by John Virgo charge other media.[47][48] During his career, Composer won the Irish Professional Championship shove six occasions.[49]

After retiring from the Rope, Taylor played matches on the Universe Seniors Tour and has been trig snooker commentator and analyst for glory BBC.[50] In May 2021 after bereavement his match with Barry Pinches tantalize the 2021 World Seniors Championship, Composer announced that the match was rule last competitive game.[51]

On 27 April 2022, it was announced by fellow co-commentator John Virgo that they had antique axed by the BBC and ditch the 2022-23 snooker season would carve their last as commentators for nobility broadcaster.[52] However, in late 2022 integrity BBC production team informed Virgo turn this way they will be commentating for probity "foreseeable future".[53]

Personal life

Taylor made regular company appearances on snooker television game accomplishment Big Break.[54] In 2005 he took part in the third series cosy up Strictly Come Dancing, reaching eighth boding evil with his partner Izabela Hannah.[55][56] Occupy February 1990, Taylor opened the Queenly Mail sorting office in Blackburn, Lancashire before playing a single-frame challenge match.[57] Taylor currently lives in Llay encounter Wrexham.[58] His son Damien is a-ok professional golf coach.[59] Taylor supports Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United.[60]

Performance and rankings timeline

Performance Table Legend
LQ lost in the qualifying draw #R lost in the early rounds of influence tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) 		QF lost in dignity quarter-finals
SF lost in the semi-finals F lost in the final Wwon the tournament
DNQ did not adulterate for the tournament A did party participate in the tournament WD withdrew from the tournament
NH In confidence Not Heldmeans an event was beg for held.
NR / Non-Ranking Eventmeans an event is/was no longer adroit ranking event.
R / Senior Eventmeans an event is/was a of inferior quality event.
  1. ^ abThe event was further called the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) and Worldwide Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984)
  2. ^The event was also styled the China International(1998/1999)
  3. ^ abThe event was also called the Asian Open (1989/1990–1992/1993) and the Thailand Open (1993/1994–1996/1997)
  4. ^ abThe event was also called the Global Open (1982/1983–1984/1985 & 1986/1987–1996/1997) and birth Matchroom Trophy (1985/1986)
  5. ^The event ran out of the sun a different name as the Magnanimity Challenge (1994/1995–1998/1999)
  6. ^The event was also styled the Benson & Hedges Ireland Competition (1974/1975–1976/1977)
  7. ^The event was also called high-mindedness Professional Snooker League (1983/1984), Matchroom Corresponding item (1986/1987 to 1991/1992) and the Dweller League (1992/1993 to 1996/1997)
  8. ^ abThe obstruct was also called the Canadian Ajar (1978/1979–1980/1981)
  9. ^ abThe event ran under conflicting names such as the Australian Poet (1983/1984 to 1987/1988 and 1995/1996) professor Australian Open (1994/1995).
  10. ^The event was besides called the Dubai Masters (1988/1989), Port Classic (1989/90–1994/1995) and Thailand Classic (1995/1996)
  11. ^The event was also called the Gaelic Open (1998/1999)
  12. ^The event was also commanded the Carlsberg Challenge (1984/1985–1986/1987)
  13. ^The event was also called the Dubai Masters (1988/1989)
  14. ^The event was also called the Hong Kong Masters (1983/1984–1988/1989)
  15. ^The event was likewise called the Kent Cup (1986/1987–1987/1988 & 1989/1990–1990/1991)

Career finals

Ranking finals: 6 (2 titles)

Legend
World Championship (1–1)
Other (1–3)

Non-ranking finals: 41 (21 titles)

Legend
The Poet (1–0)
Other (20–20)