Snooker commentary

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Snooker commentary is commentary during the course of a televised snooker match, provided by experts of the game – usually ex-billiard game professionals (especially ex-snooker players) or sports journalists. Like with all sports the commentators are there to help the viewer gain a fuller experience from the spectacle, highlighting points that may otherwise have been missed or offering insights into a player's thinking. Perhaps more so with snooker, the commentary is there to explain a player's tactics, such as shot choices and the reasoning behind what the player is doing on the table, because there is a lot more to the game than just going for available pots like a layperson might do (and wouldn't understand otherwise).

[edit] Snooker commentators

Currently the BBC has rights to snooker coverage in the UK, and it benefits from a depth of commentating talent, mostly in the form of past and present players. Below is a list of commentators currently in the BBC team (see each commentator's main article for further information):

  • Dominic Dale, 1997 Grand Prix Champion. Nicknamed "The Spaceman", Dale is a relatively new member of the team, having commentated on some of the matches at the World Championships since 2005. Still playing, he is one of the game's few remaining "characters", often sporting flamboyant attire and making jokes with the crowd and his opponent as he plays.
  • Steve Davis, world no. 1 for 7 years, World Champion 1981, 1983, 1984, 1987–1989; 28 other ranking titles. Widely regarded as one of the greatest ever snooker players, Davis has been a stalwart of BBC snooker coverage for several years now. As well as commentating on live matches, his main contributions are in studio analysis and he also provides features such as snooker workshops throughout the course of the tournament. Often he also qualifies for the early rounds and is playing whilst still honouring his media obligations.
  • Clive Everton, former amateur billiards player and journalist. Everton has been regarded by many as the voice of snooker commentary since the retirement of the great Ted Lowe. He also is a commentator on the Betfred Premier League snooker on Sky Sports.
  • Neal Foulds, once reached world no. 3.
  • Terry Griffiths, 1979 World Champion. Griffiths has been a mainstay of snooker commentary for many years, and is highly respected, being famous for his knowledge of the game, coaching some of the world's top players such as Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams.
  • Ted Lowe, the voice of snooker since Pot Black was first aired in 1969, through to the 1990s.
  • John Parrott, 1991 World Champion. Along with Steve Davis, John is perhaps better known for his contributions to the studio analysis during the BBC's coverage of a tournament. He does get himself in the commentary box on occasion, but will spend more time on features in response to e-mails or player interviews.
  • Dennis Taylor, is a 1985 World Champion.
  • Willie Thorne, once reached world no. 7 – a "maximum break specialist". Willie has been commentating for many years now, and has become synonymous with BBC coverage at any major event. He is also a commentator on the Betfred Premier League snooker on Sky Sports.
  • John Virgo, once reached world no. 10 – a "trick shot specialist". Virgo perhaps most famous for his appearances on Big Break with comedian Jim Davidson, and also famous for his trick shots and impressions of other players.
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