18 Facts About Paul Hunter

Paul Alan Hunter was an English professional snooker player.

Paul Hunter won three ranking events: the Welsh Open in 1998 and 2002, and the 2002 British Open.

Paul Hunter died shortly before his 28th birthday in October 2006.

Paul Hunter made 114 century breaks in professional competition, the highest of these a 146 in the 2004 Premier League tournament.

Paul Hunter played alongside his father, Alan, at a young age and won many amateur junior events, including the English Doubles Championship, which he won aged 14 with fellow Yorkshireman Richard Brooke.

Paul Hunter made his professional debut in July 1995 at age 16, with the help of his mentors Johnson and Jimmy Michie.

Paul Hunter reached the last 16 stage of the 1997 Grand Prix, but was later disqualified for testing positive for cannabis.

Paul Hunter reached the semi-finals of the 1998 UK Championship, defeating both Jimmy White and Davis, before losing to Higgins.

Paul Hunter played in the main stage of the World Snooker Championship for the first time in 1999, after qualifying against Euan Henderson.

Paul Hunter was only the third player to retain the Masters title, after Cliff Thorburn and Hendry.

Paul Hunter lost to Quinten Hann in the first round of the 2002 World Championship.

Paul Hunter progressed past the second round of the World Championship for the first time in 2003.

Paul Hunter reached the quarter-finals of the 2005 China Open in March 2005, just days after being diagnosed with cancer.

Paul Hunter intended to devote the year to treatment for his cancer.

Paul Hunter was posthumously awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award in 2006, and his widow Lindsey accepted the award on his behalf.

Paul Hunter compiled 114 century breaks in professional competition, including a high break of 146.

Paul Hunter married Lindsey Fell, a beauty therapist, in August 2004 in Jamaica.

Paul Hunter became known as the "Beckham of the Baize", a reference to football player David Beckham.