**Dennis Taylor Reveals Lavish Purchase After Iconic 1985 World Snooker Championship Win**
Dennis Taylor, one of snooker’s most recognisable figures, has reflected on the aftermath of his unforgettable World Snooker Championship victory in 1985, revealing how he splurged nearly all his winnings on a single extravagant item. The Northern Irishman, remembered for his iconic glasses and steely composure, stunned the sporting world with his dramatic triumph against Steve Davis at the Crucible Theatre. Yet it was his subsequent luxury purchase that continues to spark conversation decades later.
The 1985 championship remains one of the sport’s most gripping contests. Taylor, then 36, staged an incredible comeback from 9-1 down to clinch the title 18-17 in a nerve-shredding final, watched live by millions across the UK. The win, his only world title, was reward for a career which began in earnest in 1972, and brought with it a winner’s cheque for £60,000—a tidy sum for the time, even if far removed from today’s prize money.
Within days of that late-night victory, Taylor splashed out on a dark blue BMW 750, spending a remarkable £50,000—over 80 per cent of his winnings—on the top-of-the-range vehicle. Speaking in an interview, the now-76-year-old legend described the purchase as “extravagant” and “silly,” admitting, “I went and spent £50,000 on a car, and I couldn’t believe I did it really. When I thought back to when I first moved to England at 17, the first car I bought cost me £15.”
Taylor sees the funny side now, joking, “It was the same price as a block of new chalk cost. To spend £50,000 on a motorcar was a bit silly back then, but I suppose I earned it anyway.” His candour offers a glimpse into the sudden change of fortune that such a victory brings and the measures champions often take to celebrate such a hard-won achievement.
Despite etching his name in snooker folklore with that win, Taylor found the path back to Crucible glory elusive in later years. He never progressed beyond the quarter-final stage in subsequent championships, making 1985 something of a career highlight. Meanwhile, his opponent that evening, Steve Davis, went on to collect an impressive six world titles, establishing himself as a titan of the game during the decade.
Taylor’s tale serves as a reminder of the euphoria—but also the fleeting nature—of sporting success. The Crucible Theatre has seen countless triumphs, heartbreaks, and dramatic moments over the years, but few can match the intensity and story behind Taylor’s 1985 victory, both at the table and in the days that followed.
More recently, the world championship has continued to produce fresh narratives and new champions. In 2025, China’s Zhao Xintong secured his maiden world title at the Crucible, defeating Welsh veteran Mark Williams 18-12. Zhao’s remarkable run saw him play 111 frames across an arduous month of snooker, including qualifying matches, before lifting the famous trophy. In doing so, he became the first Asian champion in the event’s storied history.
Reflecting on his breakthrough, Zhao told the BBC, “This is like a dream. I can’t believe it. There was big pressure and big nerves… Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure. He’s the best.” Zhao’s victory earned him a £500,000 payday—over eight times Taylor’s 1985 prize—and catapulted him to 11th in the world rankings ahead of the next season.
The contrasting stories of Dennis Taylor’s unforgettable celebration and Zhao Xintong’s determined campaign illustrate snooker’s mix of spectacle, reward, and personal journey. While Taylor spent the bulk of his winnings on a luxury car, his place in history was already guaranteed by the drama of that April night—a legacy that continues to inspire players and fans alike well into the modern era.