Abigail Davies has come full circle in her broadcasting career, but she very nearly gave up on sports journalism before landing her big break. For those familiar with the 34-year-old's impressive body of work, that may be hard to believe. Davies is now a staple in football, snooker, and darts coverage, regularly appearing on screens during the World Snooker Championship, which concludes this weekend on the BBC.
However, the reality of trying to make ends meet while breaking into competitive sports broadcasting was harsh. Fortunately for Davies, everything worked out, and along the way, she shared a humorous moment with snooker legend Terry Griffiths.
Early Struggles and a Breakthrough
Davies recalls studying for her master's in sports broadcasting at Cardiff Met University when a job advert for a runner at the Welsh Open appeared. “That was one of my first jobs in the industry, and I jumped at the chance, spending the week making teas and coffees and learning the ropes,” she says. The opportunity allowed her to conduct a few interviews, though she admits the answers were rarely used. She returned the following year as an assistant producer, later becoming a reporter. In February, she had the privilege of presenting and MCing the tournament.
“It was nice to go full circle with the competition that gave me a break, not just in snooker but in the industry itself. That came before my work with Soccer Saturday and on the darts, so it shows it’s not a linear process.”
Financial Hardships
Despite her progress, there were times when Davies nearly walked away. “I wasn’t earning enough money to cover my trips from Swansea to London or wherever I needed to work. It was just so difficult to make ends meet while studying for a degree and trying to maintain my season ticket at Swansea City!” she explains.
Davies stuck with it and has not looked back, maintaining her love for snooker. “I pinch myself every single day I get to work on snooker. I grew up watching Paul Hunter, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and Mark Williams, who was a huge figure in my life being Welsh.”
Memorable Moments
One of her early interactions was with Terry Griffiths. “I don’t get starstruck often, but I couldn’t remember my name when I was about to talk to him! In my head, I was going to say, ‘Hi, I’m Terry,’ and then I thought, ‘No, that’s his name! What’s your name?’ I was so starstruck, and I still feel that now. I never want to lose sight of that.”
Davies often attends tournaments as a fan when not working, emphasizing the importance of that connection. She has witnessed emotional matches, including last year’s world final between Zhao Xintong and Mark Williams. However, her most memorable moment is Jack Lisowski winning the Northern Ireland Open. “As snooker fans, most of us were desperate to see him make that breakthrough. It all came together against Judd Trump, even though there were moments when it looked like more heartbreak. That was terrifying to be part of because you’re aware of everything he’s gone through and need to get the tone right. When he started saying poignant and emotional things, I felt a lump in my throat. I thought, ‘This isn’t about you.’”
Another special memory involves John Virgo, a legend of the game. “I had the honour of saying a few words about John Virgo at the Welsh Open during the minute’s applause. Getting the tone right and making sure everything was spot on was pretty special.”
