World ranking: 14
Last five seasons: 12-24-43-78-UR
Date of birth: 14-10-78
Lives: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Turned professional: 1995
Ranking tournament victories: 1
Last season’s prize money: £61,010
Career prize money: £255,200
Highest tournament break: 139

Paul Hunter has fond memories of the Regal Welsh. A semi-finalist at the age of 17, he returned to the Newport Centre at 19 to win his first world ranking title.

When Hunter lost 9-5 to Stephen Hendry after leading 5-3 in their quarter-final at the 1996 UK Championship, the Scot forecast: “He’s got the game and he’s got the bottle.”

So it proved as the young Yorkshireman came from 3-0 down in his opening match against Paul Wykes to win 5-3 and then proceeded to beat top-16 players Steve Davis, Nigel Bond, Alan McManus, Peter Ebdon and - in the final - John Higgins.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this would happen so soon in my career,” he said afterwards.

“My dad always said I’d have my day but this has been my week; it’s unbelievable.”

Victory was worth £60,000 but, more importantly, it established Hunter as one of the game’s brightest talents.

Surprisingly, Hunter had to wait until 1999 to reach the televised stage of the Embassy World Championship, a 10-5 victory over Euan Henderson in the final qualifying round setting up a first-round meeting with Hendry.

“The Crucible is the best venue on the circuit and the way I’m playing, I don’t fear anyone,” he declared before coming through the curtains.

It proved to be no idle boast as he pushed Hendry all the way, leading 7-6 and 8-7 before losing the last three frames.

Hunter’s reward was a rise of 12 places in the world rankings.

He has slipped back two after a disappointing 1999-2000 season and will be looking to get his career back on track this campaign.