Snooker icon John Parrott has revealed the powerful personal memory that defines his 1991 UK Championship victory, while making an impassioned plea for the sport's World Championship to remain at its iconic Sheffield home.
A Father-Son Moment Forged in Preston
When asked about his standout memory from the UK Snooker Championship, Parrott's mind immediately returns to 1991 at Preston Guild Hall. Having already secured the World Championship title earlier that year, he defeated his old rival Jimmy White to complete a historic double.
This achievement placed him alongside legends Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry as one of only three players to win both major titles in the same calendar year. Yet, for Parrott, the ultimate image is not of the trophy itself, but of his father watching him lift it.
"It is the first event my father took me to as a young boy to watch," Parrott explained. "I was 13 when he took me up; 14 years later, he was sitting in the same chair as I was lifting the cup. It was an unbelievable feeling and an image that will stay with me forever."
The Unforgettable Highs and Lonely Lows of Pro Snooker
Parrott, known during his 27-year career as 'The Entertainer', unequivocally labels 1991 as the best year of his professional life. "Undeniably, that was the year I won everything," he stated, reflecting on a period where his personal and professional life aligned perfectly.
He also offered a candid insight into the psychological challenges of the sport. "You need to be sane to play snooker," Parrott remarked. "Looking back, one of the things I’m proudest of is not completely losing my marbles doing it."
He described the unique frustration of playing well but still losing, a scenario that can lead to lonely, reflective drives home in the early hours. "You have to lick your wounds and go again," he added, highlighting the resilience required at the top level.
'No Better Venue': The Crucible's Irreplaceable Magic
Now part of the BBC's commentary team, Parrott has joined the debate on the future of the World Snooker Championship. The event has been held at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre since 1977, but its continuation there is frequently discussed.
Parrott is firmly in the camp that believes it must stay. He argues that for young snooker players, the Crucible holds the same mythical status as Wembley does for footballers or Augusta for golfers.
"I just care that when I was a 12-year-old boy playing snooker in my living room, I pretended to be in a world final at the Crucible Theatre," said the 61-year-old. "There is no better venue. It is tight. It is intimate... There is an atmosphere there like nowhere else."
He recalled his first visit as a 14-year-old, feeling the "crackling atmosphere" and knowing instantly he wanted to compete on that stage. For Parrott, the Crucible's unique, intense setting remains the ultimate proving ground and the heart of snooker's identity.
