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Davis v Taylor: The '85 Black Ball Final

Colin Murray looks back at the 1985 World Championship Snooker final. Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor battled past midnight, as over 18 million viewers watched on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

A look back at one of British sport's golden moments - the 1985 World Championship Snooker final. At its peak, over 18 and a half million people sat glued to their sets as Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor battled past midnight to a final and deciding black ball, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two's biggest ever audience.

Colin Murray journeys around the UK filling in the gaps on the first time that he was allowed to see the other side of midnight. Along the way he finds answers to questions such as where did Dennis's 'upside-down glasses' actually come from? What really went on behind those dressing room doors? How did you spread the news in a world without mobile phones? And how different would the lives of the two protagonists have been if the result had been reversed that night?

Featuring contributions from Barry McGuigan, Ted Lowe, Stephen Hendry and Barry Hearn.

Available now

1 hour

Clip

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:20

    Phyllis Nelson

    Move Closer

  • 00:23

    Tears for Fears

    Everybody Wants To Rule The World

´óÏó´«Ã½ Four Snooker Collection

´óÏó´«Ã½ Four Snooker Collection
Take a look back at the golden era of snooker when Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor captivated audiences.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Colin Murray
Production Manager Victoria Harris
Editor Rob Blake
Producer Nicholas Etherton
Director Nicholas Etherton

Broadcasts

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