Famous Snooker Commentators and Pundits

Snooker is regularly broadcast on terrestrial television and therefore, it is a sport that is widely available to the masses.

While watching snooker won’t be for everyone, many will enjoy the skill and mentality that is required to perform at the elite level in the sport – especially as matches can take several hours.

Plenty of snooker legends have now put down the cue in favour of the commentary box and the studio, with many now involved in punditry on the biggest tournaments.

Here, we look at some of the iconic voices in snooker. Several snooker legends make the cut while others are primarily known for their role in punditry and commentary.

Steve Davis

One of the greatest British snooker players of all-time, Steve Davis has been involved in commentary since retiring from the sport in 2016. His voice is instantly recognisable and his punditry is second to none.

Incredibly successful throughout his professional career, he’s now enjoyed just as much success on television and in the snooker commentary box.

Ken Doherty

Like Davis, Ken Doherty was one of the players of his generation – winning the Snooker World Championship in 1997 and he was still at the top of his game a decade later, climbing to number two in the world rankings.

He first tried his hand at snooker commentary during the 2009 Masters tournament and it turns out he’s pretty good at it. Since then, he’s been a pundit on several television channels.

Dennis Taylor

Reports surfaced in 2022 that the BBC wanted to replace Dennis Taylor and John Virgo – two absolute legends of the snooker commentary booth – but that announcement was met with immediate criticism.

The channel was quick to reverse that decision and both remain leading figures when it comes to snooker coverage. Taylor enjoyed a 28-year professional career before hanging up his cue but he remains heavily involved in the sport.

John Virgo

John Virgo is one of the most recognisable snooker commentators, keeping snooker fans on the edge of their seat with his own dramatic style.

Commentating on the sport since the 1980s, Virgo is renowned for the phrase “Where’s the cue ball going” which he seems to say whenever the white is heading close to one of the pockets.

Alan McManus

Alan McManus retired in 2021 but he’s quickly blossomed into one of the top snooker commentators around, appearing on BBC, ITV and Eurosport.

He is one of the most insightful former players around and it has been a very smooth transition from player to commentator for the two-time ranking event winner.

Jimmy White

One of snooker’s most charismatic figures, Jimmy White was an entertainer during his playing career and his style of punditry has been interesting to listen to.

He isn’t on television too often – though he did make an appearance on ITV show, I’m A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here back in 2009. He’s always worth a listen.

Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson’s spell at the top of world snooker was short but sweet, with his success as a qualifier at the 1986 World Championship attracting attention from around the world.

Johnson has been one of the leading voices in snooker commentary for some time, with a well-publicised spat with John Higgins in 2013. However, he remains a key contributor in the booth.

John Parrott

A world champion in the early 1990s, John Parrott has been one of the faces on the BBC snooker coverage for most of the 21st century.

He is regularly in the television studio, offering expert advice and analysis on ongoing matches while he also demonstrates certain shots on the practice tables. He is well used to the TV cameras, having featured on A Question Of Sport for many years.

Stephen Hendry

The only player left alongside Ronnie O’Sullivan in the ‘greatest snooker player of all-time debate’, Stephen Hendry is a seven-time world champion and he is now one of the sport’s top figures in the mainstream media.

Hendry may be a tad abrupt – and possibly harsh – but his style of punditry seems to have gone down well with snooker fans of all generations. He says it how it is and he’ll hopefully be around in the commentary box for years to come.