BBC commentator Clive Everton became ‘voice of snooker’ in its wildest era and wrote Ronnie O’Sullivan’s biography

2 months ago 20

CLIVE EVERTON will go down as a snooker great after helping make many of its biggest legends household names.

The BBC‘s much-loved broadcaster has sadly passed away at the age of 87.

a man in a suit and tie is holding a medal

Clive Everton has passed away at the age of 87[/caption]

Dubbed “the voice of snooker“, Everton began his career commentating on the BBC back in 1978 and did so up until 2010.

He worked alongside both Ted Lowe and Jack Karnehm as snooker entered its golden age of the 80s.

Everton was on the mic as players such as Alex Higgins, Ray Reardon, Steve Davis and Jimmy White became massive stars watched by tens of millions of TV viewers.

It was his incredible knowledge of the game that stood out above other broadcasters.

That came from a history of playing himself and doing so to an impressive level.

Turning professional in 1981, Everton spent ten years as a pro and achieved a world ranking of 47 at his highest point.

While a separate career in billiards saw him win a number of junior titles and reach world No9 in the rankings.

After guiding snooker fans through the electric era of the 80s, Everton was awarded with the position as the BBC’s lead snooker commentator.

a man wearing headphones is talking into a microphone

Everton guided fans through snooker’s electric era of the 80s[/caption]

two men are playing pool in a black and white photo

He played cue sports from a young age[/caption]

His time behind the mic has seen him be hailed as “snooker broadcasting royalty” and “one of snooker’s greatest ever commentators” in the wake of his passing.

But it wasn’t just his spoken word that was impressive, but his written work too.

Everton penned an incredible 20 books about cue sports throughout his career.

One of his most notable publications was his 2018 biography of one of snooker’s greatest ever players, Ronnie O’Sullivan.

While he also published a well respected inside scoop on the world of snooker with 2007’s Black Farce and Cue Ball Wizards: The Inside Story of the Snooker World.

His written work didn’t just include books, but also a long history of working in journalism.

The Worcester-born icon was the editor of the magazine Billiards and Snooker from 1966 until 1971 and held the same role at Snooker Scene magazine from 1972 to 2022 – a publication he founded himself.

He also offered his expertise to The Guardian, where he worked as a snooker correspondent for some 35 years.

His status in the game of snooker even saw him earn the honour of having the trophy for the British Open named after him.

Fittingly, players will fight it out for the Clive Everton trophy this weekend in Cheltenham.

He was given an MBE for services to snooker in the Queen‘s 2019 birthday honours.

Everton worked his whole career in cue sports thanks to an unrivalled passion for the sports.

A passion that he pinpointed back to his childhood in one of his books.

He wrote: “My emotional commitment to the game dated back to boyhood and one rainy London afternoon.

“When my father and I settled into the plush fauteuils of Leicester Square Hall, which was then the 220-seat home of the professional game, from the first click of the balls, I was entranced.”