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 BBC 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, BBC 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.
Last on
Clip
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Barry Hearn on Steve Davis
Duration: 02:17
Music Played
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Phyllis Nelson
Move Closer
![]()
Tears for Fears
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
BBC Four Snooker Collection

When Snooker Ruled The World
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Colin Murray |
| Production Manager | Victoria Harris |
| Editor | Rob Blake |
| Producer | Nicholas Etherton |
| Director | Nicholas Etherton |
Broadcasts
- Tue 4 May 201001:05
- Tue 4 May 201019:00BBC Two except Scotland
- Tue 4 May 201023:30BBC Two Scotland
- Sun 1 May 201118:00
- Sun 20 Apr 201418:00BBC Two except Scotland
- Sun 16 May 202122:00BBC Two except Scotland
- Wed 26 Apr 202323:15
- Sun 28 Apr 202422:10
- Mon 29 Apr 202402:40
- Sun 27 Apr 202500:50
- Thu 1 May 202502:00
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