logo
Dennis Taylor's earnings, BBC U-turn and backlash, snooker rival who said he'd have him shot

Dennis Taylor's earnings, BBC U-turn and backlash, snooker rival who said he'd have him shot

Wales Online04-05-2025

Dennis Taylor's earnings, BBC U-turn and backlash, snooker rival who said he'd have him shot
The lowdown on snooker legend Dennis Taylor's life on and off the table as he prepares to commentate on another World Championship final at the Crucible
Dennis Taylor remains a hugely popular figure in snooker circles
(Image: Getty Images )
Dennis Taylor's dulcet tones will be heard during this weekend's World Snooker Championship final.
The former Crucible champion remains one of the most popular figures in the sport and is still going strong at the age of 76. Along with beating Steve Davis in the 'Black Ball Final' of 1985, Taylor is best known for his unique upside-down glasses, which played a vital part in that triumph.

A massive 40 years on from his greatest moment on the baize, Taylor is still touring the country with Davis and fellow legend John Virgo, talking about snooker's most famous match and his career in general.

Meanwhile, he imparts his wit and wisdom from the BBC commentary box during Triple Crown events, including the current World Championship. Here's the lowdown on Taylor, including his career earnings, being the centre of a BBC U-turn and his infamous run-in with fellow Northern Irishman Alex Higgins…
Career earnings
According to CueTracker, Taylor earned just shy of £1.5million during a professional career that began in 1972 and concluded in 2000. His 1985 world title saw him bank £60,000, the equivalent of £183,000 in today's money, per the Bank of England currency calculator. This year's winner will collect £500,000. Taylor also won the Masters in 1987, staging a dramatic fightback to beat Higgins to net £51,000.
The 1985 world final between Steve Davis and Taylor remains the most-watched match in snooker history
(Image: SSPL/Getty Images )
Article continues below
BBC backlash and U-turn
Taylor's days in the commentary box looked numbered in 2022 when Virgo announced that the BBC planned to drop the pair, only for the corporation to have a change of heart after a public backlash from snooker fans. The pair were backed by veteran pro-turned-commentator Joe Perry, who has worked alongside both.
'I've worked with Virgo and Dennis and what they know, doesn't come cheaply, that's years and years of experience,' he told the Metro. 'They might miss a few tricks with some shots that some boys play today but they do know their stuff and they're excellent at their job.
'Commentary isn't just what's going on on the table, there's introducing the frames, closing the frames out, creating the drama and they're excellent at that. We might understand the modern game a bit better, but we've got a lot to learn from them on that part of the job.'

Taylor continues to commentate with John Virgo after a BBC U-turn
(Image:)
Family life
Lancashire-based Taylor has three children with first wife Patricia, a daughter called Denise and two sons, Damian and Brendan.
The couple divorced, with Taylor partly putting the breakdown of the marriage down to the demands on him after winning the world title. He remarried in 2001 to Louise, with the couple having a son, Cameron, and a daughter, Amber.

Shooting threat
Like most top players in the 1980s, Taylor had a stormy relationship with the sport's biggest hellraiser, Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins. However, their relationship took a particularly threatening twist when Higgins threatened to have Taylor shot following a dispute at the 1990 World Cup, where they played together for Northern Ireland.
After losing a frame, Higgins wanted to go back to the table and take Taylor's turn, which was against tournament rules. The Hurricane was left furious and took his anger out on Taylor, saying: "The next time you go back home I'm going to have you shot."
Alex Higgins and Taylor at the height of their rivalry
(Image: Independent News)
Article continues below
The exchange was overheard by journalists and became a major news story. Addressing the incident and their general relationship, Taylor told the Belfast Telegraph in 2004 as Higgins, who died in 2010, battled cancer: 'There was some nastiness between us then, I can't deny that.
"But I've got nothing but good feelings for Alex now - and I wish him all the best in his battle against cancer. The ill-feeling we once had has long gone."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wynne Evans issues update and admits he's 'a bit smug'
Wynne Evans issues update and admits he's 'a bit smug'

Wales Online

time15 minutes ago

  • Wales Online

Wynne Evans issues update and admits he's 'a bit smug'

Wynne Evans issues update and admits he's 'a bit smug' The Welsh TV and radio star made the announcement on Instagram weeks after confirming he would not be returning to his BBC show Wynne Evans has announced he is engaged in a post to fans on his Instagram (Image: Western Mail ) Wynne Evans has announced he is engaged in a post to fans on his Instagram. The Strictly contestant and opera singer, 53, proposed to his girlfriend Liz Brookes last weekend during a romantic getaway to Marrakesh in Morocco. Announcing the news to his 92,400 followers on Instagram, Evans joked his partner had "excellent taste in men" and admitted he was feeling "a tiny bit smug" after popping the question. He said: "Big news… I got engaged! ‌ "This weekend in Morocco, somewhere between the couscous, the camels, and me limping around the souks like a man with no spatial awareness, I proposed to Liz — and she said yes! (No take-backs, I've checked.) ‌ "She's clever, she's kind, she's got excellent taste in men. Absolutely no idea how I pulled that off, but here we are. "Feeling very lucky, very happy, and just a tiny bit smug." Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below It comes following a turbulent few months for Evans after it was confirmed he had been axed from his popular BBC radio show months after he was caught making a controversial joke during his time preparing for the Strictly tour in January. The opera singer confirmed the BBC would not be renewing his contract, saying at the time: "It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract so I won't be returning to my radio show. I'm gutted." Evans maintains that his remark was a nickname for his Strictly co-star Jamie Borthwick, and not a derogatory or sexual term used towards professional dancer Janette Manrara. ‌ Liz Brookes, Evans' now-fiancée, is a business owner from Cardiff. Her business is Grapevine Event Management which organises corporate events across Wales. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter The pair are believed to have met each other in early 2024. She often sat in the audience for the Strictly Come Dancing live shows last year and shared a sweet snap with him after one show, saying she was "proud." ‌ Evans was inundated with messages congratulating him and his partner after the announcement. One fan said: "Wow wow wow this is amazing news! llongyfarchiadau." Another added: "Congratulations, some happy news after a tough start to the year." Article continues below

BBC Antiques Roadshow guest left speechless as 'treasure' kept in spare bedroom given top value
BBC Antiques Roadshow guest left speechless as 'treasure' kept in spare bedroom given top value

Edinburgh Live

time42 minutes ago

  • Edinburgh Live

BBC Antiques Roadshow guest left speechless as 'treasure' kept in spare bedroom given top value

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Antiques Roadshow expert couldn't hide her exhilaration after examining an "extraordinary" item that's kept in her family's spare bedroom. Kay was initially taken aback by the historical significance of the item, revealing: "Sheltering from a passing shower, and sheltering with an object which is, I feel almost radioactive with power. "It's a very interesting phenomenon to be this close to something that is really quite important. I'm recognising, immediately, the personal standard of Oliver Cromwell. "It's a name we all know but let's just put him into his place in history, he was one of the signatories to the death warrant for instance to Charles I. Very much involved with the regicide, killing of the king and then he became in 1653 what was known as the Lord Protector of England. "It was after the Civil War and he ran the country essentially from 1653 to 1658 and that is his importance in English history and why this object has such resonance." The owner of the historical piece then shared its background: "It was in a collection about seven years ago. My father actually bought the collection of militaria. (Image: BBC) "We now own it as a family, it's actually kept in one of our spare rooms and, as you say, it's one of those objects that make you tingle." Kay agreed: "It does make you tingle, because this is the standard that was part of the funeral procession of Cromwell's on November 23, 1658, and this was extraordinary. "Here was the non king being revered really as a king with a royal crown. It is an extraordinary image that we have here which was totally against everything that he stood for." She revealed the item's dramatic history, explaining it had been "stolen from the hearse by a young boy that was in the funeral crowd", with its inscription corroborating the tale. "Snatched from the funeral hearse! At that moment too, it's just brilliant," Kay enthused. The guest proudly mentioned: "My whole family's been into history for generations and my maternal grandparents are actually founding members of The Sealed Knot, the re-enactment society for the Civil War." To which Kay responded: "Which is amazing, what a coincidence! It was meant to end up with you." (Image: BBC) The guest then expressed a deep connection to the artefact: "Absolutely, I believe so. Because we're the kind of people who really want to look after it and preserve it and make sure it's seen by everyone it should be seen by for generations, I guess. "It's a real treasure, it's a pleasure to own." Kay praised the item's condition, noting it had been "beautifully restored" but emphasised the importance of proper care. The expert humorously suggested: "It does and however great your spare room is and I'm sure it has almost museum like qualities, I do think, even if it went on loan somewhere, I think it deserves to be looked after." The expert was visibly challenged by a unique item's worth, noting: "And as far as value's concerned, this is about the trickiest thing I've ever had to value. "It is certain to fetch £25,000 but how much more would it go?" Overwhelmed by the valuation, the guest stood there astonished, while the valuer Kay expressed her elation: "It's going to take me a little while to come down from this. "It'll take a couple of bars of chocolate and a cup of tea but this has been a really special moment with a really extraordinary object, don't you agree?" Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Strictly Come Dancing line-up rumours revealed for 2025
Strictly Come Dancing line-up rumours revealed for 2025

South Wales Argus

time2 hours ago

  • South Wales Argus

Strictly Come Dancing line-up rumours revealed for 2025

Bosses are reportedly keen to avoid any further controversies this year, and are 'taking no chances' in bookings. Blue Peter presenters Joel Mawhinney and Shini Muthukrishnan are said to be in the running, along with Tom Parker Bowles, Queen Camilla's son. According to the MailOnline, a host of famous faces have already been approached for this year's series, which is set to get underway in September. Other big names reportedly lined up include former I'm A Celebrity winner Georgia Toffolo, Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts, ex-Love Island star Dani Dyer, and former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan. A BBC insider reportedly told MailOnline: "There will be stringent checks, and asking around, and digging into potential stars' backgrounds to make sure that they're not choosing anyone who might damage the show. 'For years, there was the whole Strictly 'curse' where the contestants and professionals kept having affairs. But that stopped. "Changes were made to the partnerships and it worked. There have been other issues in the past couple of years, though. 'Going forward, those at the top want a wholesome image to shine through. No more scandal – just joy." It follows recent controversies on Strictly, where professional dancer Giovanni Pernice was the subject of an internal investigation. Recommended reading: Former BBC Radio Wales host Wynne Evans also issued a public apology for making what he called an 'inappropriate and unacceptable' comment during the Strictly live tour launch in December last year. Earlier this week, EastEnders' actor Jamie Borthwick was also suspended by the BBC after allegedly using a slur against disabled people while filming Strictly in Blackpool. The BBC declined to comment on any speculation regarding this year's series when approached by Newsquest.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store