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Dennis Taylor

Episode 3 of 8

In 1985, 18.5 million people watched Dennis Taylor make one of the biggest sporting comebacks. Dennis – once viewed as an eternal runner up – tells Stephen Watson how it happened.

As a child Dennis Taylor would practice playing snooker with a wooden spoon and marbles on his family’s kitchen table. Before long, however, the man from Coalisland was making a name for himself on the professional snooker circuit. He was in the right place at exactly the right time.

The advent of colour television had brought with it the arrival of 91Èȱ¬ Two’s Pot Black series, and the best snooker players were becoming household names.

Yet while Dennis often reached tournament finals, he always seemed to falter – leading the press to class him as an eternal runner-up. In 1985, however, everything would change, with Dennis going on to make the ultimate sporting comeback in a match watched by a record-breaking 18.5 million people.

Speaking to Stephen Watson, Dennis recounts his 1985 World Championship title win – and reveals the origin of those famous upside down glasses.

29 minutes

Last on

Wed 14 Apr 2021 22:45

Clip

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Stephen Watson
Interviewed Guest Dennis Taylor
Series Producer Simon Miller
Executive Producer Mary McKeagney

Broadcasts

  • Fri 25 Sep 2020 19:30
  • Mon 28 Sep 2020 23:15
  • Wed 14 Apr 2021 22:45