Steve Davis: From Snooker's 'Mr Boring' to Glastonbury DJ and Festival Curator

Key facts

• Steve Davis won six World Snooker Championships and was world number one for seven consecutive seasons.
• He retired from professional snooker in 2016 at age 67.
• Davis co-founded the electronic music group The Utopia Strong with Kavus Torabi.
• He has performed DJ sets at Glastonbury Festival and supported Blur at Wembley Stadium.
• Davis is curator of the upcoming Simple Things Festival in Bristol.
• His vinyl collection exceeds 10,000 records.
• He earned over £5.6 million in prize money; net worth estimated at £26.5 million.
• His marriage to Judy Greig ended in 2005 after an affair with dancer Cheree Palla.

A New Beat for a Snooker Legend

Steve Davis, the six-time world snooker champion once derided as 'Mr Boring,' has reinvented himself as a DJ and musician, curating the Simple Things Festival in Bristol and performing at Glastonbury. The transformation has astonished fans who remember his methodical, stoic presence at the baize. Now 67, Davis retired from professional snooker in 2016 after a career spanning four decades. His post-playing life has taken an unlikely turn into electronic music, a passion he nurtured privately for years.

From Crucible to Dance Floor

Davis co-founded the electronic group The Utopia Strong with musician Kavus Torabi, releasing two albums that have drawn critical attention. He has performed DJ sets at Glastonbury Festival and supported the British band Blur at Wembley Stadium, a far cry from the hushed arenas of snooker. His musical pursuits extend beyond performance: Davis hosts a radio show and owns a vinyl collection of more than 10,000 records. He also appeared on the novelty track 'Snooker Loopy' with Chas and Dave, hinting at an early connection to entertainment.

The Man Behind the Cue

Davis's private life has been as eventful as his career. He married former Concorde flight attendant Judy Greig in 1990; the couple had two sons, Greg and Jack. The marriage collapsed in 2005, a split Davis attributes partly to his intense focus on snooker. A highly publicized affair with dancer Cheree Palla, then 19, emerged through tabloid coverage, leading to the divorce. Davis later said the scandal boosted his 'street cred' and that he did not dwell on the negative publicity. He subsequently found a long-term partner in Jeannie Nash, an accounts worker 16 years his junior.

A Fortune Built on Precision

Davis's snooker career generated over £5.6 million in prize money, supplemented by endorsement deals orchestrated by promoter Barry Hearn. In the late 1980s, he was among Britain's highest-paid athletes. His net worth now stands at an estimated £26.5 million, bolstered by continued media work and music ventures. Despite his wealth, Davis describes his current lifestyle as 'ridiculous,' contrasting it with the solitary eight-hour practice sessions of his playing days. 'I come from another world… Music is my drug of choice,' he said in a recent interview.

Beyond the Baize: Chess, Pool, and Broadcasting

Davis's interests have always extended beyond snooker. He served as president of the British Chess Federation from 1996 to 2001 and competed in the World Pool League. He also hosted a radio show on Phoenix FM during the 1990s, long before his musical reinvention. His television presence as a pundit for major snooker tournaments has kept him in the public eye, but it is his music career that has drawn the most surprise. Some fans, seeing promotional clips of his DJ sets, joked that they must be artificial intelligence creations.

A Life Reimagined

Davis's journey from stoic champion to festival curator exemplifies a broader reinvention. He has embraced a persona that contrasts sharply with the 'Interesting' parody on Spitting Image, where he was humorously dubbed 'Interesting' for his dullness. 'I come from another world,' Davis said, reflecting on his transition. The reaction from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, with one admirer calling him 'incredible' and marveling at his talent. Davis's story suggests that even the most disciplined athletes can find new creative outlets after retirement.

The bottom line

• Steve Davis, six-time world snooker champion, has reinvented himself as a DJ and musician after retiring in 2016.
• He co-founded The Utopia Strong, performed at Glastonbury and Wembley, and curates the Simple Things Festival.
• His net worth is estimated at £26.5 million, built from prize money and endorsements.
• His marriage ended in 2005 after an affair with a 19-year-old dancer, which he says boosted his street cred.
• Davis owns over 10,000 vinyl records and describes music as his 'drug of choice.'
• His transformation has surprised fans, many of whom recall his stoic 'Mr Boring' image from his playing days.