Six-time world champion Steve Davis is just one member of the BBC‘s indomitable team in Sheffield. Alongside the likes of John Parrott, Hazel Irvine and Dennis Taylor, Davis is one of snooker’s most recognisable faces. But what does the Nugget really think of his BBC colleagues? We decided to ask him…and this is what he said.
John Parrott
“John and I started together as part of the presentation team with Hazel Irvine. He’s an absolute force of nature in his knowledge. When we sit in the studio, he can remember so much. It’s not an accident he was on A Question of Sport. He’s got a photographic memory for remembering results and stats. When I’m with him, I know we’re on safe ground because I can’t remember the tournament previously!”
Stephen Hendry
“He’s turned into this wonderful YouTube sensation. I like commentating with Stephen because he doesn’t sit on the fence. He tells it like it is. He’s a bit like the Andy Gray of snooker. Anybody that misses any ball – he could have done better. But he absolutely praises great attacking play, too. He doesn’t like the players who play too safe – he’d give me a pass on that..!”
Dennis Taylor
“One of the legends of the commentary box. The best line drawer on the telestrator on the planet. Whenever Dennis draws a line, you know the ball’s going to go right along it. A totally experienced campaigner in the commentary box and obviously knows the game inside out. Even though me and Dennis are a little bit older now, we still enjoy watching the game and Dennis really does enjoy it. You never get a dull moment with him.”
Ken Doherty
“One of the great things about Ken is he’s always a positive thinker, he’s never had a bad day. He still plays the game at a high level. So his knowledge of the game is really high. And if you can’t enjoy being in the commentary box with Ken, then it’s your problem not his.”
Hazel Irvine
“Hazel is a legend and we are all in her wake, really. I think she’s the best presenter I’ve ever been involved with and seen. She’s the best. She’s an absolute demigod as far as I’m concerned. Me and John Parrott, we just watch her perform. It’s all from memory, no teleprompt, no autocue. It’s all out of her brain. It is incredible. She’s magnificent.”
John Virgo
“We’re all very upset. It’s not going to be the same without him. It (Virgo’s death) happened not that long ago and it was a shock. We were all with him the week before and the fact we’re never going to hear ‘where’s the cue ball going’ again is really, really sad. There’s a big gap in the commentary box.”