Steve Davis’ Attempt to Recreate Snooker Shot Ends in Awkward Live TV Moment on BBC
Legendary snooker figure Steve Davis found himself at the centre of an uncomfortable yet amusing incident during the BBC’s broadcast of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre. The six-time world champion was left visibly red-faced after an ill-fated attempt to demonstrate a challenging escape shot resulted in him abruptly turning his back on the cameras and refusing to continue the segment.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning, amidst coverage of the highly anticipated second-round match between Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy. At the time, Trump had just secured his first frame, closing the gap on Murphy to 2-1. Earlier in the frame, Trump had manoeuvred Murphy into a tricky snooker behind the black, contributing to what would become an uncommonly lengthy 30-minute frame between two of the game’s most dynamic competitors.
Having identified a particularly skillful moment—Murphy’s attempt to escape the snooker by spinning the cue ball off the cushion—Davis sought to elucidate the nuances of the shot for viewers. “What I am going to do is explain it, which is far more important,” began Davis, as he prepared to reconstruct the shot from the BBC’s practice area. He detailed how Murphy managed to impart enough side-spin to alter the cue ball’s direction after rebounding off the bottom cushion—a technique reminiscent of cricketers spinning a ball.
Initially, Davis demonstrated the mechanics with his fingers, flicking the imaginary cue ball and likening it to a cricket ‘spinner’. Building on this, he moved to replicate the shot with an actual cue, borrowing Ben Woollaston’s chalk for added dramatic effect. Despite the detailed explanation, his first attempt lacked the required swerve, prompting him to sigh in disappointment and scrutinise the tip of his cue.
Undeterred, Davis tried again but fared no better. The second effort failed to produce the intended outcome, leading him to put the cue down, fold his arms, and—perhaps in mock embarrassment—turn away from the BBC cameras rather than continue. This candid display of frustration played out in front of host Richi Persad, who attempted to lighten the mood with nervous laughter. “I am trying to stay focused, we are going back to a very important match, Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump and… we will have a third go shall we? What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning,” Persad commented, clearly amused by the scene.
Davis responded in similarly light-hearted fashion, quipping, “I’d rather run the [London] Marathon!”—an ironic nod to the marathon-length frame that had just concluded. Despite his earnest appreciation of the high-quality snooker on offer, the retired champion was unable to successfully replicate the masterful escape shot he had praised.
The episode did not slip by unnoticed by Davis’ colleagues, with veteran commentator Dennis Taylor joining in with the good-natured teasing. Taylor jovially described Davis’ effort as a “wonderful display”, while laughter continued to reverberate through the broadcast studio, offering a lighter interlude in what is otherwise a fiercely contested tournament.
Such moments highlight the unpredictable nature of live television, even among those who are regarded as experts and legends of the sport. While Davis’ demonstration did not go as planned, it nonetheless provided a relatable insight into the difficulties faced even by the best in the game when undertaking finely balanced shots under the scrutiny of a televised audience.
The World Snooker Championship continues to deliver drama and entertainment, both on and off the table. Davis’ moment of unrehearsed humility served as a reminder that, regardless of one’s achievements, everyone is susceptible to the odd miscue—much to the delight of audiences enjoying the lighter side of professional sport.