Davis still aiming to break back into Crucible

Steve Davis is a regular on TV as a BBC pundit but do not expect the snooker legend to swap his cue for life in the ‘Jungle’ anytime soon.

For the 55-year-old six-time world champion, who returns to Sheffield on Saturday to compete in the World Championship qualifiers, has no desire to follow fellow potter Jimmy White and star in ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!’

The ‘Whirlwind’ won a new legion of fans for his stint Down Under two years ago, and last year darts legend Eric Bristow was a fans’ favourite.

But Davis revealed he has rejected several offers to appear on reality TV shows over the years and would need a huge financial offer to “sell my soul”.

“I have been offered them but I don’t fancy doing them. It’s not something which has appealed to me,” he said.

“Perhaps the only one I would have ever considered would have been the ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ one, from the point of view that it seemed like you were doing something for a reason.

“At least you were cooking some food and seeing if you could do it properly.

“I am not in that world really.

“If somebody comes up with an offer, you never say never. But what it is, what they do offer isn’t for me. I would have to sell my soul for a hell of a lot more than what they would be offering.

“They could probably get somebody more high profile for less, I have probably priced myself out of the equation.”

At 55, Davis could be forgiven for not wanting to expose himself to bushwacker trials, like eating live bugs, on national television.

But do not mistake that for wanting to join Stephen Hendry – at 44, 11 years his junior – in retiring from snooker and reaching for his slippers and comfy cardigan just yet.

Davis loves the game, and even if the battlefield is the qualifying rounds now rather than Monday night at a Crucible final, the Essex potter is keen to carry on playing.

His mantra of “keeping my ranking below my age” is still intact, he stands at 47th in the world.

“One thing I don’t want to do is stop playing because I enjoy playing,” he said. “Even if I don’t play that often anymore, from the point of view of playing in 
the final stages, I still get the chance to play in the qualifying matches.

“Pit my wits against the new breed of players. For me, that’s my way of keeping in touch with snooker.

“I thoroughly enjoy it, even if I don’t always enjoy the outcome.

“I don’t get the buzz I used to, it’s nowhere near as intense. But I don’t see any point in stopping, retirement.

“I know Stephen Hendry did recently but I think there’s no reason to – as long as you’re okay with losing when it happens.

“Accepting losing is not good in one respect, but you have to be philosophical.

“As long as you can get your value and enjoyment from the challenge of trying to pit your wits against whoever, and can enjoy the actual challenge of trying to compete – even if you’re not as strong as you used to be – then I don’t see the point in retiring.

“Why be sat at home doing nothing when you could be centre-stage playing, even if it’s just in the qualifiers.”

Davis will need to win two qualifying matches at the English Institute of Sport just to reach the televised stages of the Crucible.

While the appearance of one of the game’s all-time greats will give the rookies a chance to claim a major scalp, Davis is relaxed about scrapping it out in the qualifiers.

“In years gone by, I would have got myself quite uptight about it,” he admits. “I think recently I have been a little bit more relaxed, just see what happens really. Try to enjoy it, because that’s the best chance of succeeding.

“At this stage of my career, if I was to put myself on pressure I think I would be a fool to myself.

“While I really desperately want to succeed, if there’s anything that I want to do in a season it is qualify for the Crucible, I don’t get my knickers in a twist over it.

“If the player that I am facing does, then hopefully that helps me. The qualifiers are coming up and it’s an exciting time of the year.”

Snooker fans will get the chance to see Davis appear at the Crucible as he is part of the Snooker Legends Tour which returns to Sheffield on April 11.

Davis will be joined by Hendry, White and Dennis Taylor for the exhibition evening, along with referee Michaela Tabb and John Virgo.

The tour cues off in Sheffield before travelling round the country in May and June – with players like Joe Johnson, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Cliff Thorburn appearing on certain dates – and Davis believes it offers fans a unique chance to see some of snooker’s true legends entertain.

“It is good fun,” he said. “As exhibitions go, they are very well organised. I have always done exhibitions, it’s part of my life so I do enjoy them.

“Our job is to entertain the fans, not only to play some decent snooker, but more importantly send them away with a smile on their faces.

“You are in a different space in your head when you play, rather than being at a tournament which is all about winning and competition.

“You are among people that you know, like Jimmy (White) and Stephen (Hendry) and the camarderie is great fun, having a laugh while you do it.”

For tickets to the Snooker Legends Tour at the Crucible, telephone 0114 249 6000 or go to www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

The World Championship qualifiers run from April 6-14 in Sheffield. Tickets start at just £5. For details see www.worldsnooker.com/tickets.