Snooker legend Steve Davis’ new career after ‘affair’ with 19-year-old | Other | Sport

Throughout his remarkably successful snooker career, Steve Davis was cheekily dubbed the “most boring player in the world”. Following his breakthrough onto the professional scene in the late 1970s, the London-born legend proceeded to rule the sport for years, making it to eight World Championship finals and claiming six world titles, whilst maintaining his position as world number one for seven straight seasons.

In sharp contrast to the more colourful personalities of snooker’s golden era, such as Jimmy White, Davis secured tremendous success through his methodical approach, simply focusing on matches and systematically breaking down rivals at the table. His understated manner even resulted in him being mockingly dubbed ‘Interesting’ on the satirical puppet programme Spitting Image, though it became an image he started to embrace towards the end of his snooker journey, and since hanging up his cue in 2016, he has pursued a lifestyle quite removed from the persona he was portrayed as having.

Currently a sought-after television analyst covering premier snooker competitions globally, there remains considerably more to the 67-year-old than initially apparent, with an astonishing new profession emerging three decades after he left audiences shocked with disclosures of a relationship with a 19-year-old.

Here’s what you need to know…

Astonishing new profession

Since retiring, Davis has exchanged the snooker table for DJ decks and carved out a thriving career as a musician and disc jockey, entertaining crowds at venues nationwide.

Shortly after putting down his cue for good, the progressive rock fanatic – who has accumulated a collection exceeding 10,000 vinyl records – launched an electronic outfit called the Utopia Strong alongside musician Kavus Torabi and produced two albums with the group.

He has subsequently delivered techno performances at Glastonbury Festival, provided support for Blur at Wembley Stadium and undertaken production duties for numerous other musical projects. Most recently, he assembled the line-up for the 2025 Simple Things Festival in Bristol, leaving festival-goers unaware of the six-time snooker world champion’s fresh endeavours completely bewildered.

Responding to a promotional clip for the festival, which showcased Davis, one follower commented: “Is this actually Steve Davis or an AI video? I hope it’s real because it’s pretty cool lol.”

Another responded: “The first thing I’ve seen and thought ‘that’s AI’ that has turned out to be mind-boggling factual,” whilst a third commented: “I did not expect this at all – respect to Steve Davis.”

Meanwhile, one admirer captured it perfectly by posting: “Incredible. This guy has so much talent it makes my head spin. And he’s funny and charismatic. Who’d have thought he was this guy 35 years ago? I love it! !”

In an interview with the Mirror, Davis acknowledged his unexpected career path was “ridiculous”, saying: “I didn’t know my life would turn out like this. You haven’t got a clue. My life seems to have gone in reverse.

“I started off as a snooker player ­practising for eight hours a day in a dark room, and I ended up at Glastonbury DJing. You just don’t know what is going to happen.”

Reflecting on his appearance at the iconic festival, he continued: “I come from another world. The snooker world is not that way so it passed me by. Music is my drug of choice.”

Naturally, Davis’ DJ career isn’t his initial foray into music.

He started presenting a soul and rock show on Brentwood’s Phoenix FM in 1996.

He also memorably collaborated with Chas and Dave on ‘Snooker Loopy’ as part of ‘The Matchroom Mob,’ which also featured Terry Griffiths, Tony Meo, Dennis Taylor, and Willie Thorne.

Away from snooker, the 67-year-old has also showcased his varied abilities over the years, competing in the World Pool League and serving as president of the British Chess Federation from 1996 to 2001.

Marriage breakdown and wild affair claims

Davis wed former Concorde flight attendant Judy Greig in 1990, and the pair had two sons together, Greg and Jack.

Nevertheless, following a 15-year marriage, they separated in 2005, with the snooker legend disclosing that his wife had “met someone else”. “Perhaps I was giving the table a bit too much attention,” he later confessed to the Daily Mail.

“I was difficult to live with. But so are all sports people – horrible. We’re all ‘Me, me, me!’ And so selfish!”

The breakdown occurred 10 years following a British tabloid newspaper paying 19-year-old dancer Cheree Palla £30,000 to publish her allegations that she engaged in a brief fling with Davis, who was 39 at the time.

Palla subsequently branded Davis “king of the bedroom”.

“I wasn’t a politician, I was a snooker player – I was only an ambassador of that sport,” Davis later remarked. “So I didn’t lose much sleep over it in the end really. It’s not like I had people all over the place. I think my street cred went up quite a lot actually”.

Whilst his spouse forgave him, they separated 10 years afterwards, with Davis subsequently beginning a lengthy relationship with accounts worker Jeannie Nash, who was 16 years his junior.

Massive snooker fortune

As one of the most accomplished snooker players in history, it’s hardly shocking that Davis ranks amongst the wealthiest.

During his career, he accumulated over £5.6million in prize money, whilst profitable endorsement contracts arranged by his manager Barry Hearn enabled him to become the UK’s highest earning sportsperson during the latter portion of the 1980s.

Yet, reports indicate that Davis’ wealth has seen a substantial boost since his transition into commentary and other endeavours post-retirement, with his current net worth estimated to be an impressive £26.5m.