‘I was a daredevil back then' – Steve Davis lifts lid on how a ham sandwich earned him title of snooker's ‘bad boy'

The Irish Sun

02-05-2025

STEVE DAVIS has revealed how he earned a reputation as a snooker bad boy... thanks to a ham sandwich.
Davis, 67, is a six-time snooker world champion, with his first title at the Crucible being won in 1981.
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Steve Davis has revealed how a ham sandwich earned him a bad boy reputation early in his career
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Davis joked he was a 'daredevil' early on
Credit: PA
However, one standout memory for the Nugget at the fabled Sheffield venue came in his debut appearance as a player.
Davis exited the tournament in round one against Dennis Taylor, but recalled how he made national headlines for eating a ham sandwich during his match.
He told the
"The newspaper the next day, there was a report that said I brought the game into disrepute by eating a ham sandwich at the table.
"What happened was that the match was going on a bit, it was a morning session and it was getting towards the afternoon and I hadn't eaten since about 7am.
"The promoter came and asked if I wanted anything, I said 'I am a bit hungry, any chance of a ham sandwich?'
"He brought me a ham sandwich to the table, I was eating it like I was down the snooker club having a practice.
"The next day in the Daily Star they'd written a thing saying I'd brought the game into disrepute! I was a daredevil back then, I was a bad boy!"
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Despite his notorious reputation and incredible record, Davis admits there was a time when he had fallen out of love with the game but has now found his passion for it again.
He said: "Funnily enough, there was a time a little while ago where I thought, 'Oh here we go, World Championship, it doesn't matter to me who wins. I'll go up there, do my job and keep my head down.'
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"But as time's gone on I'm getting more into trying to see who the best players are, who's going to win it and I'm enjoying it more, remembering what it's like being a player.
"I've turned a corner, it's very strange. So I'm looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.
"The older players trying to hold back the years, the younger players coming through. It's a really great time to be a snooker fan now. So many great players."
Davis also opened up on why he never tried to pursue a coaching career and revealed his plans for stepping away from the microphone as a pundit on the BBC's coverage.
He added: "I had no desire to be a coach as such on the tour, because standing over a player, watching him play and being in a dressing room is not something I'd get that much enjoyment out of.
"But if players ask for my opinions on things, I've been only too pleased to give them what I think is something that would be of benefit.
"We [Davis and Zak Surety] sat in a café and we just had a chat and I said try this, see if it works, and it seems like something's happened eventually.
"I would only be too pleased to talk to a player about what they feel is right or wrong with their game. But I wouldn't offer my services as a regular coach.
"But it was nice. I do know what I'm talking about! But just as some advice, and they can then get on with it.
"It's about enjoying it. If you're not enjoying it you've got to work out how to. It's not just about winning or losing, you've got to enjoy being out there.
"If you've got problems with enjoying playing matches, maybe all you need is something to minimise that problem...
"I'm enjoying being part of the BBC team, so as long as they're enjoying it then I'm delighted. It's a great bunch of people, a decent bunch of experts and we all enjoy it.
"I'm enjoying more watching now than I was 10 years ago. All of a sudden there's great storylines and so many great matches.
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"Watching players now, you're forever going 'wow, what a shot!' It's a bombardment. The likes of which snooker fans had never really seen before.
"The levels have raised. If I can't enjoy that then there's something wrong."
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