Paul Hunter
Encyclopedia
Paul Alan Hunter was an English
professional snooker
player. His media profile developed swiftly and he became known as the "Beckham
of the Baize
" because of his good looks and flamboyant style.
Hunter was a three-time Masters Champion
, winning the title on the deciding frame on all three occasions. Hunter compiled 114 competitive century breaks in the course of his professional career, including a personal record break of 146 compiled at the 2004 Premier League
. Hunter also won three ranking titles, the British Open
and the Welsh Open
(twice).
In March 2005 Hunter was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, and died from the disease in 2006 just before his 28th birthday. He was survived by his wife, Lindsey and their daughter.
in 1978 and was educated at St Andrews Primary School and Cardinal Heenan High School
. With some encouragement from friends and family, he spent many hours practising snooker. He often travelled to Bradford
to practise alongside Joe Johnson
. At the age of 12 Hunter was considered as an "outstanding junior talent". He won many junior tournaments and aged 14 won the English Doubles Championship with Richard Brooke. With the help of former professional snooker players Jimmy Michie and Joe Johnson
, Hunter made his debut among the professionals in July 1995 at the age of 16.
9–4. He followed up that achievement by becoming the youngest player to reach the last four of a ranking event when he reached the semi-finals of the 1996 Welsh Open at the age of 17 years and three months.
Also in 1996, he reached the quarter-finals of the UK Championship where he beat Willie Thorne
9–0, James Wattana
9–5 and Terry Murphy 9–7, before losing 5–9 against eventual champion Stephen Hendry
. Hunter was awarded a wildcard to play at the 1997 Masters, where he lost 1–5 against Mark Williams
in the first round.
He was fined £4,550 and docked 1,440 ranking points after testing positive for cannabis during an event in 1997. His first ranking tournament victory came at the 1998 Welsh Open, where he defeated seven players to lift the title and claim the £60,000 winner's cheque: Paul Wykes (5–3), Neal Foulds
(5–2), Steve Davis
(5–3), Nigel Bond
(5–4), Alan McManus
(5–3) and Peter Ebdon
(6–1), before defeating John Higgins 9–5 in the final. During the final, Hunter made three (108, 116 and 127). He was 2–4 down at one time, but won seven of the last eight frames to clinch the title. He followed up that success by reaching the semi-finals of the 1998 UK Championship in Bournemouth and was named the Snooker Writers Association's "Young Player of the Year".
Hunter's first appearance at the Crucible
came in 1999 World Championship, where he lost 8–10 in the first round to the eventual champion Stephen Hendry
. His form that season elevated him to no. 12 in the 1999/2000 world rankings
resulting in automatic qualification into the final stages of ranking tournaments for the first time.
After the 1999/2000 season
, demoting him to no. 14 in the 2000/2001 world rankings
, he reached the quarter-final stage or better in six tournaments the following season. He was a runner-up at the Welsh Open, a semi-finalist at the British Open
and Scottish Open
and a quarter-finalist at the Grand Prix and China Open
.
6–5 in the last 16, Peter Ebdon
6–3 in the quarter-finals and Stephen Hendry
6–4 in the semi-finals. In the final Hunter recovered from a 3–7 deficit against Fergal O'Brien
to win 10–9. Hunter compiled four centuries in six frames, and earned the £
175,000 first prize. In his post-match interview, Hunter caused a media sensation by admitting he resorted to "Plan B" with Lindsey, then his girlfriend, during the interval while 2–6 down. The 'B' in "Plan B" purportedly refers to the word "bonk", a British slang term for sexual intercourse. Hunter and Fell retired to their hotel room and he recalled: "Sex was the last thing on my mind. I just wasn't in the mood. But I had to do something to break the tension. It was a quick session – around 10 minutes or so – but I felt great afterwards. She jumped in the bath, I had a kip and then played like a dream. I reeled off four centuries in six frames. I won easily."
In 2002, Hunter retained his title. He defeated Stephen Lee
6–3 in the first round, Peter Ebdon
6–5 in the quarter-finals and Alan McManus
6–5 in the semi-finals to reach the final, where defeated Mark Williams
10–9, despite at one point of the match trailing 0–5. In doing so, he became only the third player in history of the Masters
to retain the trophy along with Cliff Thorburn
and Stephen Hendry
, and in doing so he won the £190,000 prize money. Hunter also won his second Welsh Open title, defeating Ken Doherty
9–2 in the final, but was defeated 9–10 in the first round of the 2002 World Championship by Quinten Hann
.
His success was to continue at the 2002 British Open
, staged in Telford, where he captured his third ranking title by beating Ian McCulloch
9–4 in the final. Hunter couldn't win the Masters
for the third time in row in 2003, as he lost 3–6 in the semi-finals to the previous year's runner-up and eventual champion Mark Williams
. His greatest success that campaign, though, was only a few months away.
In the 2003 World Championship, he beat Allister Carter
10–5, Matthew Stevens
13–6 and defending champion Peter Ebdon
13–12 to reach the semi-finals. In his semi-final, Hunter established a 15–9 overnight lead over Ken Doherty
, however he only could win one of the remaining nine frames, and lost the match 16–17. As a result of his performances Hunter earned a place in the world's top eight in the 2003/2004 world rankings
for the first time in his career, having been ranked number nine for the previous two seasons.
In 2003/2004
, Hunter won the Masters for the third time in four years, yet again by the score of 10–9. Hunter trailed Ronnie O'Sullivan
throughout the entire match before pipping him to the trophy in the final frame. In fact, Hunter trailed 1–6, 2–7, 6–8 and 7–9 before reeling off the final three frames to seal the sixth title of his professional career. He made five century breaks in the match. Hunter also reached the final of the Players Championship, but lost 7–9 against Jimmy White
. Hunter reached the second round of the 2004 World Championship, where he lost 12–13 against Matthew Stevens
, despite leading 10–6 and 12–10 at some points of the match.
Hunter began the 2004/2005 season
, by reaching the semi-finals of the Grand Prix
, where he lost 3–6 to Ronnie O'Sullivan
. He then reached the quarter-finals of the China Open
, just days after discovering that he was suffering from cancer. His career-high ranking was number four in the world during the 2004/2005 season, which dropped to number five in 2005/2006
.
said at the time: "Paul will undergo treatment to cure himself of this illness. He would like to reassure his fans and supporters that, as with his snooker career, he is tenacious and positive in his fight against the disease." Hunter had been receiving chemotherapy
for his illness.
Hunter returned to the circuit for the start of the 2005/2006 season
, but lost to Rory McLeod
in the first round of the Grand Prix
. Hunter's next match of the season was at the UK Championship against Jamie Burnett
, in which Hunter dramatically came back from 6–8 down to win the match 9–8 Despite this Hunter lost in the next round 2–9 against eventual champion Ding Junhui
. He lost in the first round of the World Championship 5–10 to Neil Robertson
, his last ever match.
He slipped from 5th to 34th in the 2006/2007 rankings
. Hunter admitted that he was worse than the previous year and confirmed that he had been in continuous pain.
On 27 July 2006, the WPBSA confirmed that, following a members' vote, the organisation's rules would be changed to allow Hunter to sit out the entire 06/07 season with his world ranking frozen at 34. He intended to devote the year to treatment for his cancer.
in Huddersfield
. Prior to the Premier League Snooker matches on 12 October 2006, players Jimmy White
, Ronnie O'Sullivan
, Ken Doherty
and Ding Junhui
, along with referee Alan Chamberlain and commentators Willie Thorne
and Phil Yates, all stood for a moment of silence
to remember Hunter. His funeral took place on 19 October 2006 at Leeds Parish Church. Many players attended the ceremony, and his best friend, Matthew Stevens
, was a coffin-bearer at the service.
Fellow professionals Stephen Hendry
, Mark Williams
, Jimmy White
, Matthew Stevens
and Ken Doherty
have led calls for The Masters
trophy to be named in Hunter's memory. In 2006 Hunter was posthumously awarded with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award
– his widow Lindsey accepted the award on his behalf. The Paul Hunter Foundation was set up after his death to give disadvantaged children places to play sport and socialise.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player. His media profile developed swiftly and he became known as the "Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
of the Baize
Baize
Baize is a coarse woollen cloth, sometimes called felt in American English based on a similarity in appearance.-Usage:...
" because of his good looks and flamboyant style.
Hunter was a three-time Masters Champion
Masters (snooker)
The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held...
, winning the title on the deciding frame on all three occasions. Hunter compiled 114 competitive century breaks in the course of his professional career, including a personal record break of 146 compiled at the 2004 Premier League
2004 Premier League Snooker
*-1, -9, -16, 94–27, 0–77, 77–4, 104–0**21–65, -0, 90–1, -65, 104–0, 56–14, 17–76, -40, 45–64, 53–52...
. Hunter also won three ranking titles, the British Open
British Open (snooker)
The British Open was a professional snooker tournament. It was a ranking tournament from 1985. The tournament has not been held since the 2004/2005 season....
and the Welsh Open
Welsh Open (snooker)
The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which started in 1980 and was only open to Welsh players.- History :...
(twice).
In March 2005 Hunter was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, and died from the disease in 2006 just before his 28th birthday. He was survived by his wife, Lindsey and their daughter.
Early life
Hunter was born in LeedsLeeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
in 1978 and was educated at St Andrews Primary School and Cardinal Heenan High School
Cardinal Heenan Roman Catholic High School
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School is a comprehensive school located in Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The school is one of the best comprehensive performing schools in Yorkshire with, in 2010 over 85% of pupils achieving 5 A*-C grades at GCSE level. The school has had no sixth form...
. With some encouragement from friends and family, he spent many hours practising snooker. He often travelled to Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
to practise alongside Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson (snooker player)
Joe Johnson is an English former professional snooker player. He is best known as the surprise winner of the 1986 World Championship.- Career :...
. At the age of 12 Hunter was considered as an "outstanding junior talent". He won many junior tournaments and aged 14 won the English Doubles Championship with Richard Brooke. With the help of former professional snooker players Jimmy Michie and Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson (snooker player)
Joe Johnson is an English former professional snooker player. He is best known as the surprise winner of the 1986 World Championship.- Career :...
, Hunter made his debut among the professionals in July 1995 at the age of 16.
Early career (1995–2000)
Four months later, Hunter reached the second round of the 1995 UK Championship by defeating world number six Alan McManusAlan McManus
Alan McManus is a Scottish professional snooker player, known for his tactical play and safety shots, giving rise to his nickname "Angles" McManus.-Career:...
9–4. He followed up that achievement by becoming the youngest player to reach the last four of a ranking event when he reached the semi-finals of the 1996 Welsh Open at the age of 17 years and three months.
Also in 1996, he reached the quarter-finals of the UK Championship where he beat Willie Thorne
Willie Thorne
William Joseph "Willie" Thorne , is a former English professional snooker player and now a sports commentator.Thorne became national under-16 champion at both snooker and English billiards in 1970...
9–0, James Wattana
James Wattana
James Wattana is a Thai professional snooker player.-Career:...
9–5 and Terry Murphy 9–7, before losing 5–9 against eventual champion Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry
Stephen Gordon Hendry, MBE is a Scottish professional snooker player. In 1990, he was the youngest-ever snooker World Champion, at the age of 21. He has won the World Championship a record seven times and was snooker's world number one for eight consecutive years between 1990 and 1998, and again...
. Hunter was awarded a wildcard to play at the 1997 Masters, where he lost 1–5 against Mark Williams
Mark Williams (snooker player)
Mark James Williams, MBE is a Welsh professional snooker player who has been World Champion twice, in 2000 and 2003. Often noted for his single-ball potting, he has earned the nickname, The Welsh Potting Machine...
in the first round.
He was fined £4,550 and docked 1,440 ranking points after testing positive for cannabis during an event in 1997. His first ranking tournament victory came at the 1998 Welsh Open, where he defeated seven players to lift the title and claim the £60,000 winner's cheque: Paul Wykes (5–3), Neal Foulds
Neal Foulds
Neal Foulds is a former English professional snooker player and is now a commentator on the sport.-Career:Foulds quickly climbed the rankings after turning professional in 1983, reaching no. 3 within four years. He won his first ranking tournament in 1986, the BCE International, beating Cliff...
(5–2), Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
(5–3), Nigel Bond
Nigel Bond
-External links:*...
(5–4), Alan McManus
Alan McManus
Alan McManus is a Scottish professional snooker player, known for his tactical play and safety shots, giving rise to his nickname "Angles" McManus.-Career:...
(5–3) and Peter Ebdon
Peter Ebdon
Peter "Ebbo" Ebdon is an English professional snooker player and former world champion renowned for his remarkably focused, determined style of play.-Early years:...
(6–1), before defeating John Higgins 9–5 in the final. During the final, Hunter made three (108, 116 and 127). He was 2–4 down at one time, but won seven of the last eight frames to clinch the title. He followed up that success by reaching the semi-finals of the 1998 UK Championship in Bournemouth and was named the Snooker Writers Association's "Young Player of the Year".
Hunter's first appearance at the Crucible
Crucible Theatre
The Crucible Theatre is a theatre built in 1971 and located in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. As well as theatrical performances, it is home to the most important event in professional snooker, the World Snooker Championship....
came in 1999 World Championship, where he lost 8–10 in the first round to the eventual champion Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry
Stephen Gordon Hendry, MBE is a Scottish professional snooker player. In 1990, he was the youngest-ever snooker World Champion, at the age of 21. He has won the World Championship a record seven times and was snooker's world number one for eight consecutive years between 1990 and 1998, and again...
. His form that season elevated him to no. 12 in the 1999/2000 world rankings
Snooker world rankings 1999/2000
Snooker world rankings 1999/2000: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1999/2000 season are listed below.-References:...
resulting in automatic qualification into the final stages of ranking tournaments for the first time.
After the 1999/2000 season
Snooker world rankings 1999/2000
Snooker world rankings 1999/2000: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1999/2000 season are listed below.-References:...
, demoting him to no. 14 in the 2000/2001 world rankings
Snooker world rankings 2000/2001
Snooker world rankings 2000/2001: The professional world rankings for the top 32 snooker players in the 2000/2001 season are listed below.-References:...
, he reached the quarter-final stage or better in six tournaments the following season. He was a runner-up at the Welsh Open, a semi-finalist at the British Open
British Open (snooker)
The British Open was a professional snooker tournament. It was a ranking tournament from 1985. The tournament has not been held since the 2004/2005 season....
and Scottish Open
Players Championship (snooker)
The Players Championship was a professional snooker tournament. It is the most recent name of the ranking tournament held in Scotland every year. The tournament has had a bewildering number of name changes in its history. Until recently it was commonly known as the Scottish Open, and prior to that...
and a quarter-finalist at the Grand Prix and China Open
China Open (snooker)
The China Open is a professional snooker tournament. It is one of a number of ranking tournaments and began in 1997.-History:The first international snooker tournament in China was the China International in September 1997, a non-ranking tournament for the top 16 players and local players. The...
.
Masters champion (2001–2004)
In the 2001 Masters, Hunter beat his close friend and defending champion Matthew StevensMatthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens is a Welsh professional snooker player. Stevens has won two of the game's most prestigious events, the Benson and Hedges Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. He has also been the runner-up in the World Snooker Championship on two occasions, in 2000 and 2005...
6–5 in the last 16, Peter Ebdon
Peter Ebdon
Peter "Ebbo" Ebdon is an English professional snooker player and former world champion renowned for his remarkably focused, determined style of play.-Early years:...
6–3 in the quarter-finals and Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry
Stephen Gordon Hendry, MBE is a Scottish professional snooker player. In 1990, he was the youngest-ever snooker World Champion, at the age of 21. He has won the World Championship a record seven times and was snooker's world number one for eight consecutive years between 1990 and 1998, and again...
6–4 in the semi-finals. In the final Hunter recovered from a 3–7 deficit against Fergal O'Brien
Fergal O'Brien
Fergal O'Brien is an Irish professional snooker player. He has won one ranking title and reached two other major finals, and spent three seasons as a top 16 player.-Career:...
to win 10–9. Hunter compiled four centuries in six frames, and earned the £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
175,000 first prize. In his post-match interview, Hunter caused a media sensation by admitting he resorted to "Plan B" with Lindsey, then his girlfriend, during the interval while 2–6 down. The 'B' in "Plan B" purportedly refers to the word "bonk", a British slang term for sexual intercourse. Hunter and Fell retired to their hotel room and he recalled: "Sex was the last thing on my mind. I just wasn't in the mood. But I had to do something to break the tension. It was a quick session – around 10 minutes or so – but I felt great afterwards. She jumped in the bath, I had a kip and then played like a dream. I reeled off four centuries in six frames. I won easily."
In 2002, Hunter retained his title. He defeated Stephen Lee
Stephen Lee
Stephen Lee is a professional snooker-player from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, whose smooth cue action is regarded by some pundits as the most natural in the game. He has won four ranking titles, and spent 10 seasons in the Top 16 of the world rankings before dropping out for the snooker...
6–3 in the first round, Peter Ebdon
Peter Ebdon
Peter "Ebbo" Ebdon is an English professional snooker player and former world champion renowned for his remarkably focused, determined style of play.-Early years:...
6–5 in the quarter-finals and Alan McManus
Alan McManus
Alan McManus is a Scottish professional snooker player, known for his tactical play and safety shots, giving rise to his nickname "Angles" McManus.-Career:...
6–5 in the semi-finals to reach the final, where defeated Mark Williams
Mark Williams (snooker player)
Mark James Williams, MBE is a Welsh professional snooker player who has been World Champion twice, in 2000 and 2003. Often noted for his single-ball potting, he has earned the nickname, The Welsh Potting Machine...
10–9, despite at one point of the match trailing 0–5. In doing so, he became only the third player in history of the Masters
Masters (snooker)
The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held...
to retain the trophy along with Cliff Thorburn
Cliff Thorburn
Clifford Charles Devlin Thorburn CM, known as Cliff Thorburn is a retired professional Canadian snooker player...
and Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry
Stephen Gordon Hendry, MBE is a Scottish professional snooker player. In 1990, he was the youngest-ever snooker World Champion, at the age of 21. He has won the World Championship a record seven times and was snooker's world number one for eight consecutive years between 1990 and 1998, and again...
, and in doing so he won the £190,000 prize money. Hunter also won his second Welsh Open title, defeating Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
9–2 in the final, but was defeated 9–10 in the first round of the 2002 World Championship by Quinten Hann
Quinten Hann
Quinten Hann is an Australian former professional snooker player who now plays professional pool. He was the 1999 WEPF World Eight-ball Champion and 1994 world under 21 champion. His highest break is 143...
.
His success was to continue at the 2002 British Open
British Open (snooker)
The British Open was a professional snooker tournament. It was a ranking tournament from 1985. The tournament has not been held since the 2004/2005 season....
, staged in Telford, where he captured his third ranking title by beating Ian McCulloch
Ian McCulloch (snooker player)
-External links:**...
9–4 in the final. Hunter couldn't win the Masters
Masters (snooker)
The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held...
for the third time in row in 2003, as he lost 3–6 in the semi-finals to the previous year's runner-up and eventual champion Mark Williams
Mark Williams (snooker player)
Mark James Williams, MBE is a Welsh professional snooker player who has been World Champion twice, in 2000 and 2003. Often noted for his single-ball potting, he has earned the nickname, The Welsh Potting Machine...
. His greatest success that campaign, though, was only a few months away.
In the 2003 World Championship, he beat Allister Carter
Allister Carter
Allister "Ali" Carter is an English professional snooker player, who lives in Tiptree. He reached the final of the 2008 World Championship, his first major final. Although he lost heavily to Ronnie O'Sullivan, this run allowed him to reach the top 8 of the rankings for the first time...
10–5, Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens is a Welsh professional snooker player. Stevens has won two of the game's most prestigious events, the Benson and Hedges Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. He has also been the runner-up in the World Snooker Championship on two occasions, in 2000 and 2005...
13–6 and defending champion Peter Ebdon
Peter Ebdon
Peter "Ebbo" Ebdon is an English professional snooker player and former world champion renowned for his remarkably focused, determined style of play.-Early years:...
13–12 to reach the semi-finals. In his semi-final, Hunter established a 15–9 overnight lead over Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
, however he only could win one of the remaining nine frames, and lost the match 16–17. As a result of his performances Hunter earned a place in the world's top eight in the 2003/2004 world rankings
Snooker world rankings 2003/2004
Snooker world rankings 2003/2004: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2003/2004 season are listed below.-References:...
for the first time in his career, having been ranked number nine for the previous two seasons.
In 2003/2004
Snooker season 2003/2004
The snooker season 2003/2004 was a series of snooker tournaments played during the years 2003 and 2004. The following table outlines the results for ranking events and the invitational events.-Calendar:- Official rankings :...
, Hunter won the Masters for the third time in four years, yet again by the score of 10–9. Hunter trailed Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
throughout the entire match before pipping him to the trophy in the final frame. In fact, Hunter trailed 1–6, 2–7, 6–8 and 7–9 before reeling off the final three frames to seal the sixth title of his professional career. He made five century breaks in the match. Hunter also reached the final of the Players Championship, but lost 7–9 against Jimmy White
Jimmy White
James Warren "Jimmy" White MBE is an English professional snooker player. Nicknamed the "Whirlwind" and popularly referred to as the "People's Champion", White is a multiple World Championship finalist renowned for losing each of the six finals he contested.White's extensive list of achievements,...
. Hunter reached the second round of the 2004 World Championship, where he lost 12–13 against Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens is a Welsh professional snooker player. Stevens has won two of the game's most prestigious events, the Benson and Hedges Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. He has also been the runner-up in the World Snooker Championship on two occasions, in 2000 and 2005...
, despite leading 10–6 and 12–10 at some points of the match.
Hunter began the 2004/2005 season
Snooker season 2004/2005
The snooker season 2004/2005 was a series of snooker tournaments played during the years 2004 and 2005. The following table outlines the results for ranking events and the invitational events.-Calendar:- Official rankings :...
, by reaching the semi-finals of the Grand Prix
2004 Grand Prix (snooker)
The 2004 Totesport Grand Prix was the 2004 edition of the Grand Prix snooker tournament, held from 2 to 10 October 2004 at the Guild Hall, Preston, England. World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan won the tournament, defeating Ian McCulloch by nine frames to five in the final. In the semi-finals,...
, where he lost 3–6 to Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
. He then reached the quarter-finals of the China Open
2005 China Open (snooker)
The 2005 China Open professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 26 March–3 April 2005 at the Chaoyang Sports Centre in Beijing, China...
, just days after discovering that he was suffering from cancer. His career-high ranking was number four in the world during the 2004/2005 season, which dropped to number five in 2005/2006
Snooker world rankings 2005/2006
Snooker world rankings 2005/2006: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2005/2006 season are listed below.-Note:...
.
Later years and illness (2005–2006)
On 6 April 2005, Hunter announced that he was suffering from malignant neuroendocrine tumours, the causes of which are unknown. A spokesman for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker AssociationWorld Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, often abbreviated to the WPBSA, founded in 1968 and based in Bristol, England, United Kingdom is the governing body of professional snooker and English billiards...
said at the time: "Paul will undergo treatment to cure himself of this illness. He would like to reassure his fans and supporters that, as with his snooker career, he is tenacious and positive in his fight against the disease." Hunter had been receiving chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
for his illness.
Hunter returned to the circuit for the start of the 2005/2006 season
Snooker season 2005/2006
The snooker season 2005/06 was a series of snooker tournaments played during 2005 and 2006. The following table outlines the results and dates for the ranking and major invitational events that took place.-Calendar:- Official rankings :...
, but lost to Rory McLeod
Rory McLeod (snooker player)
Rory McLeod is an English professional snooker player. After ten years on the Challenge Tour he reached the Main Tour professional ranks for the 2001/2002 season, paving the way for a solid journeyman career.-Career:...
in the first round of the Grand Prix
2005 Grand Prix (snooker)
The 2005 Grand Prix professional ranking snooker tournament was held between 8 and 16 October 2005, at the Guild Hall, Preston, England.John Higgins won in the final 9-2 against Ronnie O'Sullivan. In the final, Higgins set two records...
. Hunter's next match of the season was at the UK Championship against Jamie Burnett
Jamie Burnett
Jamie Burnett is a professional snooker player from Hamilton, Scotland.-Career:During the qualifying stages of the 2004 UK Championship, he achieved the impressive feat of becoming the first ever player to compile a break over 147 in a professional match, in which he made a break of 148 against...
, in which Hunter dramatically came back from 6–8 down to win the match 9–8 Despite this Hunter lost in the next round 2–9 against eventual champion Ding Junhui
Ding Junhui
Ding Junhui is a Chinese professional snooker player. Ding Junhui is China's most successful player ever, having become only the second teenager, after John Higgins, to win three ranking titles...
. He lost in the first round of the World Championship 5–10 to Neil Robertson
Neil Robertson (snooker player)
Neil Robertson is an Australian professional snooker player and the 2010 World Champion and World #4...
, his last ever match.
He slipped from 5th to 34th in the 2006/2007 rankings
Snooker world rankings 2006/2007
Snooker world rankings 2006/2007: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2006/2007 season are listed below.-Notes:...
. Hunter admitted that he was worse than the previous year and confirmed that he had been in continuous pain.
On 27 July 2006, the WPBSA confirmed that, following a members' vote, the organisation's rules would be changed to allow Hunter to sit out the entire 06/07 season with his world ranking frozen at 34. He intended to devote the year to treatment for his cancer.
Death and legacy
Hunter died at 8:20pm 9 October 2006 – just five days short of his 28th birthday – at the Kirkwood HospiceKirkwood Hospice
Kirkwood Hospice is a hospice situated in Dalton, Huddersfield, in West Yorkshire, England. It provides Specialist palliative care for the terminally ill in Kirklees...
in Huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
. Prior to the Premier League Snooker matches on 12 October 2006, players Jimmy White
Jimmy White
James Warren "Jimmy" White MBE is an English professional snooker player. Nicknamed the "Whirlwind" and popularly referred to as the "People's Champion", White is a multiple World Championship finalist renowned for losing each of the six finals he contested.White's extensive list of achievements,...
, Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
, Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
and Ding Junhui
Ding Junhui
Ding Junhui is a Chinese professional snooker player. Ding Junhui is China's most successful player ever, having become only the second teenager, after John Higgins, to win three ranking titles...
, along with referee Alan Chamberlain and commentators Willie Thorne
Willie Thorne
William Joseph "Willie" Thorne , is a former English professional snooker player and now a sports commentator.Thorne became national under-16 champion at both snooker and English billiards in 1970...
and Phil Yates, all stood for a moment of silence
Moment of silence
A moment of silence is the expression for a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. Similar to flying a flag at half-mast, a moment of silence is often a gesture of respect, particularly in mourning for those who have recently died or as part of a commemoration ceremony...
to remember Hunter. His funeral took place on 19 October 2006 at Leeds Parish Church. Many players attended the ceremony, and his best friend, Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens is a Welsh professional snooker player. Stevens has won two of the game's most prestigious events, the Benson and Hedges Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. He has also been the runner-up in the World Snooker Championship on two occasions, in 2000 and 2005...
, was a coffin-bearer at the service.
Fellow professionals Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry
Stephen Gordon Hendry, MBE is a Scottish professional snooker player. In 1990, he was the youngest-ever snooker World Champion, at the age of 21. He has won the World Championship a record seven times and was snooker's world number one for eight consecutive years between 1990 and 1998, and again...
, Mark Williams
Mark Williams (snooker player)
Mark James Williams, MBE is a Welsh professional snooker player who has been World Champion twice, in 2000 and 2003. Often noted for his single-ball potting, he has earned the nickname, The Welsh Potting Machine...
, Jimmy White
Jimmy White
James Warren "Jimmy" White MBE is an English professional snooker player. Nicknamed the "Whirlwind" and popularly referred to as the "People's Champion", White is a multiple World Championship finalist renowned for losing each of the six finals he contested.White's extensive list of achievements,...
, Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens is a Welsh professional snooker player. Stevens has won two of the game's most prestigious events, the Benson and Hedges Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. He has also been the runner-up in the World Snooker Championship on two occasions, in 2000 and 2005...
and Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
have led calls for The Masters
Masters (snooker)
The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held...
trophy to be named in Hunter's memory. In 2006 Hunter was posthumously awarded with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award is an award given annually as part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony each December. The award is given "for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity", and the winner is selected by BBC Sport...
– his widow Lindsey accepted the award on his behalf. The Paul Hunter Foundation was set up after his death to give disadvantaged children places to play sport and socialise.
Personal life
Hunter and Lindsey Fell, a beauty therapist, married in August 2004 in Jamaica. On 26 December 2005, Lindsey gave birth to their first and only child, daughter Evie Rose, who weighed 8 lb (3.63 kg).Performance timeline
| Tournaments | 1995/ 96 |
1996/ 97 |
1997/ 98 |
1998/ 99 |
1999/ 00 |
2000/ 01 |
2001/ 02 |
2002/ 03 |
2003/ 04 |
2004/ 05 |
2005/ 06 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankings Snooker world rankings The snooker world rankings are the official system of ranking professional snooker players to determine automatic qualification and seeding for tournaments on the World Snooker Tour. They are maintained by the sport's governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association... |
UR Snooker world rankings 1995/1996 Snooker world rankings 1995/1996: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1995/1996 season are listed below.* Peter Francisco was banned for five years.-References:... New players on the tour don't have a ranking. |
78 Snooker world rankings 1996/1997 Snooker world rankings 1996/1997: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1996/1997 season are listed below.-References:... |
43 Snooker world rankings 1997/1998 Snooker world rankings 1997/1998: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1997/1998 season are listed below.-References:... |
24 Snooker world rankings 1998/1999 Snooker world rankings 1998/1999: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1998/1999 season are listed below.-References:... |
12 Snooker world rankings 1999/2000 Snooker world rankings 1999/2000: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1999/2000 season are listed below.-References:... |
14 Snooker world rankings 2000/2001 Snooker world rankings 2000/2001: The professional world rankings for the top 32 snooker players in the 2000/2001 season are listed below.-References:... |
9 Snooker world rankings 2001/2002 Snooker world rankings 2001/2002: The professional world rankings for the top 32 snooker players in the 2001/2002 season are listed below.-References:... |
9 Snooker world rankings 2002/2003 Snooker world rankings 2002/2003: The professional world rankings for the top 32 snooker players in the 2002/2003 season are listed below.-References:... |
8 Snooker world rankings 2003/2004 Snooker world rankings 2003/2004: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2003/2004 season are listed below.-References:... |
4 Snooker world rankings 2004/2005 Snooker world rankings 2004/2005: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2004/2005 season are listed below. This was Chris Small's only top 16 season, and Paul Hunter's only appearance in the top 4.-References:... |
5 Snooker world rankings 2005/2006 Snooker world rankings 2005/2006: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2005/2006 season are listed below.-Note:... |
|||||
| Ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||
| British Open British Open (snooker) The British Open was a professional snooker tournament. It was a ranking tournament from 1985. The tournament has not been held since the 2004/2005 season.... |
LQ | LQ | 1R | 2R | 2R | SF | 2R | W | QF | 2R | NH | |||||
| Grand PrixThe event run under different name as LG Cup (2001/2002-2003/2004) | LQ | 1R | 4R | 2R | 5R | QF | 3R | QF | 3R | SF | 1R | |||||
| UK Championship UK Championship (snooker) The UK Championship is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It is the second biggest ranking tournament after the World Championship and is one of the Triple Crown events.-History:... |
2R | QF | 2R | SF | 4R | 6R | 3R | 3R | QF | 3R | 3R | |||||
| Irish Masters | Non-Ranking Event | SF | 2R | 2R | NH | |||||||||||
| Players Championship Players Championship (snooker) The Players Championship was a professional snooker tournament. It is the most recent name of the ranking tournament held in Scotland every year. The tournament has had a bewildering number of name changes in its history. Until recently it was commonly known as the Scottish Open, and prior to that... The event run under different names such as International Open (1995/1996-1996/1997) and Scottish Open (1997/1998-2002/2003) |
LQ | LQ | 4R | QF | 3R | SF | 2R | 4R | F | Not Held | ||||||
| Malta Cup Malta Cup The Malta Cup was a professional snooker tournament that has been on the World Snooker calendar since the 1988/89 season. It was previously known as the European Open as the sole ranking tournament in Europe, outside the British Isles.- History :Prior to the 1988/89 season, there were no ranking... The event run under different names such as European Open (1995/1996-1996/1997 and 2001/2002-2003/2004) and Irish Open (1998/1999) |
LQ | LQ | NH | 2R | Not Held | 1R | QF | 2R | 1R | 1R | ||||||
| Welsh Open Welsh Open (snooker) The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which started in 1980 and was only open to Welsh players.- History :... |
SF | LQ | W | 2R | 3R | F | W | SF | QF | 2R | 2R | |||||
| China Open China Open (snooker) The China Open is a professional snooker tournament. It is one of a number of ranking tournaments and began in 1997.-History:The first international snooker tournament in China was the China International in September 1997, a non-ranking tournament for the top 16 players and local players. The... |
Not Held | 2R | 1R | 1R | QF | 2R | Not Held | QF | 1R | |||||||
| Thailand Masters | 1R | 1R | LQ | 1R | 1R | 1R | 2R | Not Held | ||||||||
| World Snooker Championship World Snooker Championship The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England... |
LQ | LQ | LQ | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | SF | 2R | 1R | 1R | |||||
| Non ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||
| The Masters Masters (snooker) The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held... |
A | WR | A | A | 1R | W | W | SF | W | 1R | 1R | |||||
| Premier League | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | RR | RR | A | |||||
| Irish Masters | A | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | Ranking Event | NH | |||||||
| Scottish Masters | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | 1R | QF | Not Held | |||||||
| Performance Table Legend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | did not participate in the tournament | #R | lost in the early rounds of the tournament (RR = round robin, WR = Wild Card Round) |
| QF | advanced to but not past the quarterfinals | SF | advanced to but not past the semifinals |
| F | advanced to the final, tournament runner-up | W | won the tournament |
| NH / Not Held | means an event was not held. | |||
| NR / Non-Ranking Event | means an event is/was no longer a ranking event. | |||
Ranking finals: 5 (3 titles, 2 runner-ups)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref. |
| Winner | 1. | 1998 | Welsh Open Welsh Open (snooker) The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which started in 1980 and was only open to Welsh players.- History :... |
 |
9–5 | |
| Runner-up | 1. | 2001 | Welsh Open Welsh Open (snooker) The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which started in 1980 and was only open to Welsh players.- History :... |
 |
2–9 | |
| Winner | 2. | 2002 | Welsh Open Welsh Open (snooker) The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which started in 1980 and was only open to Welsh players.- History :... (2) |
|
9–7 | |
| Winner | 3. | 2002 | British Open British Open (snooker) The British Open was a professional snooker tournament. It was a ranking tournament from 1985. The tournament has not been held since the 2004/2005 season.... |
 |
9–4 | |
| Runner-up | 2. | 2004 | Players Championship Players Championship (snooker) The Players Championship was a professional snooker tournament. It is the most recent name of the ranking tournament held in Scotland every year. The tournament has had a bewildering number of name changes in its history. Until recently it was commonly known as the Scottish Open, and prior to that... |
|
7–9 |
Non-ranking finals: 3 (3 titles)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref. |
| Winner | 1. | 2001 | Masters Masters (snooker) The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held... |
|
10–9 | |
| Winner | 2. | 2002 | Masters Masters (snooker) The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held... (2) |
 |
10–9 | |
| Winner | 3. | 2004 | Masters Masters (snooker) The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held... (3) |
|
10–9 |
Pro-am finals: 1 (1 title)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref. |
| Winner | 1. | 2004 | Grand Prix Fürth Paul Hunter Classic The Paul Hunter Classic is a pro-am minor-ranking snooker tournament. From 2010 it is part of the Players Tour Championship, and is the first of the tour events to take place in mainland Europe.-History:... |
|
4–2 |
Amateur finals: 1 (1 runner-up)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref. |
| Runner-up | 1. | 1995 | English Amateur Championship | |
7–8 |
External links
- BBC SportBBC SportBBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. It incorporates programmes such as Match of the Day, Grandstand , Test Match Special, Ski Sunday, Rugby Special and coverage of Formula One motor racing, MotoGP and the Wimbledon Tennis...
profile for Paul Hunter - Snooker Club profile for Paul Hunter