Hunter - superstar status (Getty Images).
HUNTER HOPING TO PROVE HE'S A STAR
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Paul Hunter has only ever won one match in the final stages of the Embassy
World Championship but snooker's pin-up boy has already been upgraded to
'Superstar' status.
Hunter has dedicated himself to improving his dismal record at the Crucible
Theatre.
But his thoughts have also been on another sporting challenge that awaits him
next month.
The 24-year-old Yorkshire professional is snooker's representative when the
once popular 'Superstars' programme returns to the BBC TV screens in May.
Hunter doesn't remember the original series that ran from 1974 to 1985 and
featured such memorable moments as Kevin Keegan falling off a bike, Malcolm
McDonald running a sizzling 100 metres and Brian Jacks proving himself 'King of
the Gym.'
By his own admission Hunter hasn't got the physique of a sporting god and
approaches his appearance with some trepidation.
"Some of my older mates say Superstars was one of the programmes everyone
wanted to be on, they loved it," says the British Open champion from Leeds.
"I'd like to see a video of the show to get a feel for it. But I'm looking
forward to it.
"It's five days away in the sun in La Manga, though I've already opted out of
the gym tests and the swimming.
"I'm not a bad swimmer but I'm going to be doing enough of that over there
anyway.
"I'm not a fitness person but it will be good fun. I'm not aiming to win
Superstars but I don't want to come last.
"I'll enjoy it and see what happens. I played football when I was younger but
I gave it up when I was 12 or 13 to concentrate on snooker."
Johnny Vaughan and Suzy Perry will present the shows and among the top
sporting talent already signed up are: Sir Steve Redgrave, Colin Jackson, Austin
Healey, Dennis Wise, Liz McColgan, Alain Baxter and Dion Dublin.
Certainly, Hunter has more chance of becoming world champion for the first
time despite his poor record at the Crucible.
He lost 10-9 to Quinten Hann in his opening game 12 months ago - a match
interrupted by a streaker wearing a mask of Sven-Goran Eriksson.
"I feel quite fresh even though I've been to the latter stages of most
tournaments this season," said Hunter.
"It was disappointing to lose my first match in Edinburgh last week but I
wasn't too despondent.
"I don't get too down when I lose any match - it's only a game of snooker."
That attitude has stood Hunter in good stead throughout a career that has
yielded two Benson and Hedges Masters titles and three other ranking
tournaments.
He famously put 'Plan B' into operation - a sex romp with current girlfriend
Lyndsey Fell - during the mid-session interval of the 2001 Masters final against
Fergal O'Brien.
And he intends to calm his nerves before facing qualifier Ali Carter with a
vodka and orange.
"I did that when I won the Masters. I don't mean going out to get drunk but
just one 'voddie' or half a lager to settle me down a bit. I do get a bit
jittery," he added.
If Hunter is to become a snooker superstar by winning the world title, he
starts off the hard way against Crucible first timer Carter.
The Tiptree professional has made a habit of claiming big-name scalps
throughout his career, including two wins over seven-times world champion
Stephen Hendry.
"It will be a hard game because Ali is a good player," says Hunter.
"But he will be under pressure as well because he's trying to get into the
top 16 and it's his first visit to the Crucible.
"I don't know why I haven't done well at Sheffield in the past, but perhaps
if things aren't working out again I can always nip home and put Plan B into
action!."
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