**Steve Davis Reignites His BBC Ambition Amidst Snooker’s New Golden Age**
Snooker great Steve Davis has offered a candid reflection on his journey with both the sport that made him a household name and his broadcasting duties, describing a recent dramatic shift in his outlook. The six-time world champion, now 67, has admitted that he once lost touch with the excitement that once fuelled his illustrious playing days, raising questions about what the future might hold for his role at the BBC. However, in a recent, revealing interview, Davis confirmed that his passion is back, at a time when snooker appears to be enjoying a fresh lease of life.
Having dominated the sport in the 1980s, Davis went on to become a familiar and respected face in the BBC’s presentation team, providing insight and commentary throughout various tournaments. For fans and colleagues alike, his involvement was often seen as a barometer for the game’s health and mainstream appeal. In recent years, however, Davis confided that his enthusiasm had faltered. “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,'” he explained to Metro, alluding to a darker phase in his broadcast career.
But what caused this change of heart? Davis points to the current crop of snooker talent and the unpredictable landscape they create. As the 2025 World Snooker Championship approaches, Davis describes feeling reinvigorated, saying, “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.” For Davis, this marks a significant turning point, and he describes his renewed perspective as something he didn’t see coming: “I’ve turned a corner, it’s very strange.”
He notes in particular a newfound appreciation for the evolving mix of seasoned professionals and rising stars. The modern snooker scene, Davis reports, is bustling with talent—so much so that every tournament is both a test of skill and a joy to observe. “It’s a really great time to be a snooker fan now. So many great players,” he enthused. The blend of experienced champions attempting to stave off the ambitions of youthful newcomers has, in Davis’s eyes, elevated the sport’s appeal to new heights.
Central to his revived passion is, as Davis puts it, the “bombardment” of highlights and jaw-dropping moments that happen on the table week in, week out. While once there may have been a sense of predictability, he now marvels at the skills on display, stating, “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.” With such intensity, he admits it would be hard for any true lover of the game not to be swept along for the ride.
Davis is honest about having become disillusioned for a time, but he is adamant that those days are now behind him. “The levels have raised. If I can’t enjoy that, then there’s something wrong,” he said, echoing a sentiment many long-standing fans might share as they witness the changing face of professional snooker.
Beyond the drama of the matches themselves, Davis is full of praise for the sense of camaraderie behind the scenes at the BBC. He describes the team as a “great bunch of people” who share not just technical expertise but also genuine enthusiasm for what unfolds on the baize. “As long as they’re enjoying it, then I’m delighted,” Davis says, revealing how mutual passion within the team has made his role more rewarding than in previous years.
Looking ahead, Davis sees countless storylines yet to unfold, each potentially more compelling than the last. The sport’s dynamic now keeps even the most seasoned pundits guessing as emerging talents and battle-hardened veterans vie for supremacy. For Davis, these are precisely the ingredients that have reignited his love for the game, both as a commentator and a spectator.
His story serves as a reminder that both sport and professional life ebb and flow. For fans across the UK, the reassurance that Davis feels reinvigorated is certainly positive news. His renewed commitment ensures that one of snooker’s wisest voices will continue to illuminate the action at a time when the sport holds an exciting mix of unpredictability and nostalgia. With Davis back at his enthusiastic best, the enduring partnership between snooker and the BBC remains as strong—and as vibrant—as ever.