Dennis Taylor was born on January 19, 1949, in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. After a successful amateur career he became a professional snooker player in 1972.
After reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship in 1975 and 1977, the Irishman got to the final in 1979, eventually losing 24-16 to Welshman Terry Griffiths.
In the 1979-80 season he reached his highest-ever ranking, as number two in the world.
He is a five-time winner of the Irish Professional Championships, succeeding in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986 and 1987.
Taylor won his first world ranking tournament in 1984, beating Cliff Thorburn 10-2 in the final of the Rothmans Grand Prix.
Representing All-Ireland in the World Cup team event, Taylor inspired his country to success in three consecutive years in the mid-Eighties.
The Northern Irishman’s defining moment arrived in 1985 when he beat Steve Davis in the greatest final ever seen at the Crucible Theatre, defeating the number one 18-17 on the final black to become world champion.
One of the most popular figures snooker has ever seen, Taylor also won the 1997 and 1998 World Trickshot Championships.
