Six-time snooker world champion Steve Davis didn’t hold back when appraising former rival Jimmy White, who failed to make this year’s UK Championship after losing to a 14-year-old
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
12:00, 07 Dec 2025
Jimmy White was lauded by former rival Steve Davis as he continues to compete at the age of 63(Image: Getty)
Snooker icon Steve Davis was gushing in his admiration of Jimmy White last year while appraising his former rival’s career. ‘The Whirlwind’ continues to compete at 63 and wasn’t far off making the cut for this year’s UK Championship.
There was a time when White and six-time world champion Davis were considered two of the best players on the circuit. And it was in fact ‘The Nugget’ who defeated White in the first of his six unsuccessful World Championship appearances way back in 1984.
But despite their rivalry, Davis showed nothing but admiration for his former foe when breaking down White’s ongoing presence at the peak of the sport. Though the titles may have stopped flowing for the veteran, it’s a wonder to many how he continues to give other pros a run for their money.
“How amazing,” he told Mirror Sport 12 months ago. “What is he, 62 now? That is amazing.
“Fred Davis played in the worlds when he was 64, but that was a different time. He was more or less guaranteed to play at the Crucible! For Jimmy to be competing and beating some of the top players in the world on a weekly basis is just fantastic. Long may it continue.
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“He knows full well he can have a really good match and then the next time it might not quite work, and that’s the frustration. You know you can produce it every now and again, but consistency is the problem as you get older. When he manages to put it together, it’s fantastic to watch.”
White, who is due to feature in a TV crime drama called Write to Kill, has been competing on the senior circuit since 2010 and has enjoyed some big wins among his fellow vets. However, he continues to try his hand on the Pro Tour and is regularly seen in qualifying for major competitions to this day.
Fans were pleased to see the Londoner awarded a two-year pro card for the World Snooker Tour back in April. This ensured he’ll remain eligible to at least try his hand at the more prominent events for the foreseeable future.
Davis, on the other hand, retired from the sport in 2016 and hasn’t shown an inkling he’ll be tempted back. The 68-year-old has become a commentary favourite among supporters and is regularly seen covering tournaments for the BBC and TNT Sports.
Davis defeated White in the 1984 World Snooker Championship final(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
White could have played a role at the UK Championship in York this month were it not for his loss in the first round of qualifying. The Whirlwind whizzed out of contention following a 6-2 loss against 14-year-old Michal Szubarczyk, the youngest player on the World Snooker Tour.
Top seed Judd Trump is out to win back-to-back UK Championship titles for the first time on Sunday when he faces Mark Selby in this year’s final. ‘The Ace In the Pack’ advanced past No. 4 Neil Robertson following a 6-3 win on Saturday as he won the last four frames in a row.
Selby, who is also targeting his third UK title, triumphed over Shaun Murphy by the same scoreline in his Saturday semi. Trump has won 23 of his 42 matches against Selby to date, though ‘The Jester From Leicester’ has come out on top in their last two encounters.
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