Presented by snooker legend Steve Davis and narrated by the most authoritative voice in the game, Clive Everton, the 'History of Snooker' is a unique and comprehensive look at this great sport.

Using rare footage it traces the evolution of the game from a pastime for British soldiers in India through to the first professional legend, Joe Davis, who along with his brother Fred dominated the game in the first part of the 20th century.

It was the influence of television however which really took the sport out of the backwaters and placed it firmly at the centre of British sporting life. All of the legends who made the game great are here from the early television stars such as John Spencer and Ray Reardon to the thrilling and unpredictable Alex Higgins, the 'People's Champion' Jimmy White, the pretender to that crown Ronnie O'Sullivan and the greatest player ever to pick up a cue, Stephen Hendry.

Inevitably much of the 'History of Snooker' revolves around that theatre of dreams the crucible in Sheffield. Since 1977 it has been home to the World Championships and has been the venue for so many of snooker's greatest moments from the maximums of Cliff Thorburn, Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan to the unbreakable safety of Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry to the miraculous potting of Mark Williams and Alex Higgins. The final has often kept a nation watching late into the night from Joe Johnson's surprise victory to Stephen Hendry's record breaking 7th title, Jimmy White's heart-breaking near misses and of course Dennis Taylor's extraordinary final ball finish in 1985.

The 'History of Snooker' brings all of these great moments together. If you're a fan or a player this unique record of a great sport is something you'll need in your collection.

This programme was previously released as 'story of snooker' in october 2002. Footage courtesy of Movietone, Pathe, BBC and ITV Sport.