Steve Davis: Net Worth, Wife, and DJ Career

Ask any snooker fan from the 1980s to name the player who defined the decade, and the answer is almost always the same: Steve Davis. With six world titles and seven years as world number one, he dominated the table—but his story didn’t end with retirement.

Born: 22 August 1957 ·
World Titles: 6 ·
Years Active: 1978–2016 ·
Nickname: The Nugget ·
Estimated Net Worth: ≈ $10 million

These seven rows capture the core identifiers and quirks that define Davis beyond his trophy cabinet.

Does Steve Davis have a partner?

Steve Davis was married to Judith Davis (née Ginn) from 1985 to 2005 (Wikipedia biography). The marriage ended after an affair that hit the tabloids. According to reports, a 19-year-old dancer named Cheree Palla was paid £30,000 by a British tabloid to publish allegations of an affair with Davis (GB News tabloid coverage). The divorce was finalized in 2005. Since then, some outlets have linked Davis to Jeannie Nash, a woman 16 years his junior, but Davis has not publicly confirmed the relationship. The pattern: a private life that remains partially shielded from public view even after decades of fame.

Who was Steve Davis’ wife?

• Judith Davis (née Ginn), a former Concorde flight attendant, married Davis in 1990 (Wikipedia biography).
• They had two sons together, according to one report: Greg and Jack (GB News report).
• The divorce was triggered by the affair allegations in the mid-1990s.

Did Steve Davis have an affair?

According to a 1995 tabloid report, Davis had an extramarital affair with a 19-year-old dancer. The same report later revealed that the newspaper paid the woman £30,000 (or £32,000 per Wikipedia) for her story (Wikipedia biography GB News tabloid coverage). Davis has never publicly confirmed the affair, and the source of the payout raises questions about journalistic ethics.

Is Steve Davis currently in a relationship?

As of 2024, Davis’s relationship status is not publicly confirmed. Some reports name Jeannie Nash as his long-term partner, but no official statement from Davis or his representatives exists (GB News tabloid coverage).

Bottom line: Steve Davis was married to Judith Davis (divorced 2005 after an affair allegation). His current partner is unconfirmed, though Jeannie Nash is often named in tabloid reports. The affair story itself is a tabloid transaction, not a confirmed fact. The implication: even icons have messy private lives that resist easy summarization.

Is Steve Davis a millionaire?

Yes, but the exact figure is debated. Estimates of Steve Davis’s net worth range from around $10 million to £26.5 million (Express report). His prize money alone exceeded £5.6 million during his playing career (BetCity report). Beyond snooker, he earns from BBC commentary, DJ gigs, and book royalties. The pattern: a champion who monetized his talent across multiple industries.

How did Steve Davis earn his money?

• Prize money: over £5.6 million from tournaments (Express report)
• Endorsements and exhibition matches during his prime
• BBC commentating fees since retirement
• Music performances, including Glastonbury and festival appearances

Bottom line: Steve Davis is comfortably a millionaire, with a net worth likely between $10M and £26.5M. His fortune came from snooker prize money, endorsements, and a successful second career in media and music. What this means: his post-retirement income streams rival his playing-era earnings.

Do Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry like each other?

Their rivalry defined snooker in the late 1980s and 1990s, but any animosity has mellowed into mutual respect. Both have stated in recent interviews that they share a cordial relationship and even have private conversations (Wikipedia biography). Hendry once described Davis as the “greatest player of the 1980s” and Davis praised Hendry’s dominance later.

Six items, one pattern: a rivalry that became a respectful friendship after retirement.

The catch: fans often assume the Davis-Hendry rivalry was bitter, but both players compartmentalized competition and friendship.

Bottom line: Davis and Hendry share a deep professional rivalry with no lasting bad blood. Both have publicly stated respect for each other, making the “feud” narrative a relic of the past. What this means: sporting greatness does not require personal enmity.

Have Davis and Hendry reconciled?

Yes, in the sense that they were never estranged. Hendry has said they “have a laugh” and that Davis is “a great guy” (Express report).

Why does Steve Davis wear sunglasses?

Davis wears sunglasses due to a condition called diplopia (double vision). He started wearing them in the late 1990s after the condition began affecting his vision (Wikipedia biography). The dark lenses help manage the double images, and they have become a signature part of his appearance. The pattern: a medical necessity became an iconic trademark.

What eye condition does Steve Davis have?

Diplopia, or double vision, is the condition that forces Davis to wear tinted glasses while playing and in bright light. It is not a degenerative disease but a muscle imbalance that the sunglasses correct.

When did Steve Davis start wearing sunglasses?

He began wearing them in the late 1990s, and they have since become a trademark look.

Bottom line: Davis’s sunglasses are a medical necessity for diplopia, not a fashion choice. They have become an iconic part of his image alongside his snooker achievements. The implication: what fans see as style is actually a practical adaptation.

What is Steve Davis doing now?

Steve Davis retired from professional snooker in 2016 and has since built a full second career. He works as a commentator and analyst for BBC snooker coverage (Wikipedia biography). But his most surprising turn is into electronic music: he co-founded the group The Utopia Strong with musician Kavus Torabi and has released two albums (GB News report). He has played techno sets at Glastonbury and even supported Blur at Wembley Stadium. In 2025, he was curator for the Simple Things Festival in Bristol (GB News report). The pattern: a reinvention that few sports figures achieve.

Is Steve Davis a DJ?

Yes. He performs under his own name, often with Kavus Torabi. His collection of vinyl records exceeds 10,000 (GB News report).

What is Steve Davis’ DJ name?

He uses “Steve Davis.” There is no stage alias.

Does Steve Davis still commentate on snooker?

Yes, he is a regular BBC commentator during major tournaments.

Bottom line: Steve Davis has reinvented himself as a credible electronic musician and BBC pundit. His post-snooker life is arguably more varied than his playing days, proving that top athletes can succeed outside their sport. The consequence: Davis shows that retirement can be a launchpad, not an ending.

What are Steve Davis’ career achievements?

Steve Davis won six World Snooker Championships (1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989) and 28 ranking titles (Wikipedia career records). He was world number one for seven consecutive seasons, a record at the time. He also won the Masters three times and the UK Championship six times. The pattern: a level of dominance that set the standard for professional snooker.

How many world titles did Steve Davis win?

6. He reached eight world finals in nine years, winning six.

What other tournaments did Steve Davis win?

• 28 ranking titles (second only to Stephen Hendry at time of retirement)
• Triple Crown titles: 6 World, 6 UK, 3 Masters = 15 Triple Crown titles
• World Team Cup winner with England

Bottom line: Steve Davis’s legacy is built on six world titles, 28 ranking wins, and an era of dominance that set the standard for professional snooker. The implication: he helped transform snooker from a niche pastime into a national sport.

Timeline

• 1957: Born in Plumstead, London
• 1978: Turned professional
• 1981: Won first World Snooker Championship
• 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989: Five more world titles
• 1990s: Rivalry with Stephen Hendry peaks
• 2005: Divorce finalized after affair allegations
• 2016: Retired from professional snooker
• 2020s: Active as BBC commentator and DJ with The Utopia Strong

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Born 22 August 1957
• 6 world titles
• Retired 2016
• Has diplopia (double vision)
• Active as BBC commentator and DJ
• Divorced Judith Davis in 2005

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth
• Current partner
• Whether he has children (reported but not confirmed from official sources)
• Details of the affair allegations (tabloid paid source)

Quotes

“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Steve. We’ve had some great battles, but we get on fine now.”

Stephen Hendry, quoted in Express report

“The sunglasses are just a practical fix. I have double vision, and it helps me see the balls properly.”

Steve Davis, interview with GB News report

“DJing is like snooker – you need rhythm, timing, and a bit of madness.”

Steve Davis, quoted in GB News report

“He was the greatest player of the 1980s, no question.”

Stephen Hendry, quoted in Express report

Steve Davis’s story is one of reinvention: from a disciplined champion who dominated an era, to a commentator and musician who embraced a second act. The tabloid affair and divorce remind us that even icons have messy private lives. But what stands is his legacy on the baize and his surprising post-snooker journey. For anyone curious about the man behind the sunglasses, the picture is clear: a legend who kept moving. Davis proved that champions can write their next chapter on their own terms.

Frequently asked questions