Snooker star Alfie Burden has spoken of his astonishment after discovering that six-time world champion Steve Davis has carved out an unlikely – and wildly successful – second career as a club DJ.

Snooker star Alfie Burden has revealed his disbelief after discovering Steve Davis’ surprising second career as a DJ.

 

Snooker star Alfie Burden has spoken of his astonishment after discovering that six-time world champion Steve Davis has carved out an unlikely – and wildly successful – second career as a club DJ.

Burden, a seasoned professional who has spent decades competing on the baize, admitted he could hardly believe it when he first learned that one of the sport’s most methodical and famously unflappable figures had swapped the hush of the snooker arena for the throb of nightclub sound systems.

Davis, best known for dominating the 1980s and winning six world titles at the World Snooker Championship, has long been associated with ice-cool composure, clinical break-building and an almost robotic focus at the table. The image of “The Nugget” carefully lining up a black in near-silence seems worlds away from flashing lights and pounding electronic beats.

Yet that is precisely where Davis has found himself in recent years — performing at festivals and clubs across the UK and Europe. His passion for electronic music, particularly progressive rock and experimental sounds, gradually evolved from hobby to headline act. Teaming up with DJ and promoter Kavus Torabi, Davis began playing eclectic DJ sets that blend psychedelic rock, electronica and obscure dance tracks, earning genuine respect within the music scene.

Burden confessed that when he first heard about Davis’ DJ work, he thought it must be a joke.

“He’s the last person you’d expect to see behind the decks,” Burden reportedly said. “When you think of Steve Davis, you think of intense concentration and total silence. You don’t picture him in a nightclub at two in the morning.”

For many fans who grew up watching Davis dominate opponents under the bright lights of Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, the idea of him reinventing himself as a DJ seems almost surreal. During his peak years, Davis was portrayed as the embodiment of serious professionalism — so focused that he was once dubbed “Interesting” in tongue-in-cheek reference to his reserved personality.

But those who know him well say the DJ persona reveals a different side. Davis has often spoken about his deep love of music, collecting records and exploring underground genres long before stepping into the DJ booth. In interviews, he has described the thrill of building a set in much the same way as constructing a break in snooker — patiently, strategically, and with an eye for rhythm and timing.

Burden, reflecting further, acknowledged that perhaps the transition isn’t as strange as it first appears.

“When you think about it, there’s a rhythm to snooker,” he said. “It’s about flow and control. Maybe DJing isn’t that different — it’s just a different kind of stage.”

Davis officially retired from professional snooker in 2016 but has remained a visible and respected figure within the sport, frequently appearing as a pundit and ambassador. His DJ career, meanwhile, continues to gather momentum, with appearances at major festivals and cult music events drawing crowds who may not even realise they’re watching a sporting legend.

For Burden, the discovery has been both surprising and oddly inspiring — proof that life beyond professional sport can take unexpected turns. In an era when many athletes struggle to redefine themselves after retirement, Davis’ successful pivot to music stands out as a bold and creative reinvention.

As Burden put it, sometimes the most unlikely second acts turn out to be the most fascinating.