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Episode 3

Gods of Snooker Series 1
Episode 3 of 3

Jimmy White’s off-the-table excess threatens to overshadow his raw talent as a young Stephen Hendry emerges as a new threat to his World Championship dreams.

By the mid-80s, snooker was the biggest sport in the country, but two distinct camps had emerged amongst the players. On one side were Barry Hearn’s ‘Matchroom Mob’, including Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis: clean-living, utterly professional and family friendly. In sharp contrast was a group that included Alex Higgins, Jimmy White and Kirk Stevens, who all embraced a more rock-and-roll lifestyle.

With Higgins’s career quickly spiralling out of control, Jimmy White was next in line to take the crown of ‘people’s champion’. But Jimmy also had an insatiable appetite for the highlife and a string of vices – including cocaine and crack - that threatened to overshadow his raw talent and enormous potential.

Twelve years younger than Alex, Jimmy soon realised that Alex’s popularity and ability was at odds with his success in the game, having won only two world championship trophies in a sport many thought he should dominate. Indeed, Steve Davis had quickly become the world number one through practice and discipline and had suddenly become the man to beat. Desperate for success and tempted by the lucrative rewards brought by towing the line, Jimmy joined Barry Hearn in the hope he could be turned into a champion like his new stablemate, Steve Davis.

Jimmy began the 90s clean and well-prepared and got his best opportunity yet to win his first world championship, coming up against a young emerging Scotsman called Stephen Hendry. With White as the hot favourite and with the crowd urging him on, the 1990 final turned out to be a pivotal moment in British snooker and paved the way for what was to come in the next decade.

8 months left to watch

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 11 Apr 2023 23:15
±«Óãtv Two except Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD

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Music Played

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

  • 00:01

    Jacques Dutronc

    Cactus

  • 00:03

    The Smiths

    How Soon Is Now?

  • 00:07

    Tears for Fears

    Everybody Wants To Rule The World

  • 00:11

    Kelly Marie

    Hot Love

  • 00:16

    Pat Benatar

    Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2006 Digital Remaster)

  • 00:18

    Grandmaster & Melle Mel

    White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)

  • 00:28

    Echo & the Bunnymen

    The Cutter

  • 00:39

    Thin Lizzy

    The Boys Are Back In Town

  • 00:56

    Luciano Pavarotti [Tenor]

    "Nessun Dorma!"

  • 00:57

    Max Richter

    Written on the Sky

  • 00:59

    Morrissey

    That's Entertainment

Credits

Director Becky Lomax
Producer Laurence Turnbull
Executive Producer Arron Fellows
Executive Producer Louis Theroux
Production Company Mindhouse Productions

Broadcasts

Gods of Tennis

Gods of Tennis

On court, they were legends. Off it, they challenged the world. A golden age of tennis.