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Steve Davis gives his opinions on fellow BBC pundits including 'Andy Gray of snooker'

The World Snooker Championship is available to watch on the BBC and six-time world champion Steve Davis has given his opinions on his fellow Beeb pundits

[Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry at Masters 2024]

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Steve Davis will be on the BBC alongside Stephen Hendry over the next couple of weeks(Image: Getty)

Zhao Xintong will head back to the Crucible in devastating form when the World Snooker Championship gets back under way at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on Saturday.

The Chinese star will face stiff competition from a host of former winners but they all arrive with question marks attached in what looks to be a particularly open field this year.

Can Ronnie OSullivan rustle up a record-breaking eighth? Can Mark Selby claw his way back to his best? Can Neil Robertson shrug off the weight of recent history?

The whole tournament will be available to watch on the BBC and six-time world champion Steve Davis gave his view on his fellow pundits

John Parrott

John and I started together as part of the presentation team with Hazel Irvine. He's an absolute force of nature in his knowledge. When we sit in the studio, he can remember so much. It's not an accident he was on A Question of Sport. He's got a photographic memory for remembering results and stats. When Im with him, I know we're on safe ground because I can't remember the tournament previously!

[John Parrott is part of the BBC's coverage of the World Championship]

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John Parrott is part of the BBC's coverage of the World Championship(Image: (Richard Pelham/Getty Images))

Stephen Hendry

Hes turned into this wonderful YouTube sensation. I like commentating with Stephen because he doesn't sit on the fence. He tells it like it is. He's a bit like the Andy Gray of snooker. Anybody that misses any ball - he could have done better. But he absolutely praises great attacking play, too. He doesn't like the players who play too safe - he'd give me a pass on that..!

Dennis Taylor

One of the legends of the commentary box. The best line drawer on the telestrator on the planet. Whenever Dennis draws a line, you know the ball's going to go right along it. A totally experienced campaigner in the commentary box and obviously knows the game inside out. Even though me and Dennis are a little bit older now, we still enjoy watching the game and Dennis really does enjoy it. You never get a dull moment with him.

[Dennis Taylor speaking into a microphone]

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Dennis Taylor is a regular in the BBC snooker commentary box(Image: Getty Images)

Ken Doherty

One of the great things about Ken is hes always a positive thinker, hes never had a bad day. He still plays the game at a high level. So his knowledge of the game is really high. And if you can't enjoy being in the commentary box with Ken, then it's your problem not his.

Hazel Irvine

Hazel is a legend and we are all in her wake, really. I think she's the best presenter I've ever been involved with and seen. She's the best. She's an absolute demigod as far as I'm concerned. Me and John Parrott, we just watch her perform. It's all from memory, no teleprompt, no autocue. It's all out of her brain. It is incredible. She's magnificent.

[John Virgo]

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John Virgo died at the age of 79 earlier this year(Image: Getty Images)

John Virgo

We're all very upset. It's not going to be the same without him. It happened not that long ago and it was a shock. We were all with him the week before and the fact we're never going to hear where's the cue ball going again is really, really sad. There's a big gap in the commentary box.

You can follow the World Snooker Championship across BBC TV, radio and online

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