Davis will return to the Crucible after a three-year absence

Davis, a six-time winner of the Embassy World title, was forced to dig deep before booking his place with a 10-8 win over Welshman Ryan Day in Torquay on Tuesday.

"It's great to be back," he said.

"It means a lot to be at the Crucible and I love being involved in the build-up to the tournament.

"You never know when your last appearance at Sheffield will be, so I'm delighted to be going back."

The 45-year-old was cruising when he built an 8-5 lead with two centuries, 110 and 136, at the Palace Hotel in Torquay on Tuesday night.

But Day, the world number 140 who is 23 years younger than his opponent, responded with a run of 129 and turned the screw by drawing level at 8-8.

Davis won the next and appeared certain to wrap up a 10-8 victory when he left Day needing a snooker on the pink.

But Davis only went through by knocking in a respotted black after Day had duly got the snooker, potted a long pink and added the black.

I'm just glad I didn't have to play another frame Steve Davis

"It was getting very tense at the end," Davis admitted. "The snooker Ryan got on the pink was unbelievable and then he knocked in a great long pot.

"I should have been on the floor but I fancied the respot and it was a beautiful feeling when it went it. I'm just glad I didn't have to play another frame."

The six-times Embassy champion had led by a single frame at the interval, after Day won the final two frames of the first session to trail Davis 5-4 at the halfway stage.

The win for Davis also virtually guarantees his inclusion in the elite top 16 at the end of the season.

Rising star Shaun Murphy is also through to the televised stage of the World Championship, an emphatic 10-4 victory over Irishman Michael Judge booking the Englishman's place for the second successive year.

There was also success for compatriot Ian McCulloch, who managed to keep the dangerous David Gray at arm's length to win 10-6 and qualify for Sheffield.

Also heading for the World Championships are Marco Fu, Tony Drago, James Wattana, Nigel Bond, and Stuart Pettman.

Former world champion John Parrott, Irishman Fergal O'Brien and Nottingham's Anthony Hamilton bid for their places in the Crucible's first-round proper on Wednesday.

Scottish pair Drew Henry and Chris Small are among those in action on the last day of qualifying on Thursday.

Tuesday results:
Shaun Murphy (Eng) 10-4 Michael Judge (Irl)
Ian McCulloch (Eng) 10-6 David Gray (Eng)
Steve Davis (Eng) 10-8 Ryan Day (Wal)
Marco Fu (Chn) 10-8 Jonathan Birch (Eng)

Wednesday results:
John Parrott 10-8 Robin Hull
Allister Carter 10-6 Patrick Wallace
Gerard Greene 10-3 Anthony Hamilton
Gary Wilkinson 10-8 Fergal O'Brien