By Richard Preen

World Ranking: 13
Date Of Birth: 13/08/75
Form: R32/R16/R16/R32/R16
World Championship best: Last 16 – 2 times

Journeyman Joe Perry will return to the Crucible for his third appearance, the first without having to qualify after becoming a member of snooker's elite this season.

The reason for this entry was a tremendous performance in the 2001 European Open where he stormed through to the final.

In his march to that showpiece he managed to put out the likes of Joe Swail, Matthew Stevens, Jimmy White and Mark Williams.

His run may have taken its toll in the end as a determined Stephen Hendry soundly beat him 9-2.

Joe Perry became well known for undertaking challenge matches at clubs across the United Kingdom.

He would regularly offer to waive his appearance fee if the club players defeated him.

This has obviously had a bearing on Perry's game and in the process improved his match-play skills.

His form this season has been very disappointing with the best performances coming in the Irish Masters and Regal Welsh where he managed to avoid defeat in the first round.

On his two previous visits to the Crucible he has managed to progress to the last 16 where in 1999 he lost out 13-8 to Ronnie O'Sullivan while last year he went out 13-7 to eventual champion Peter Ebdon.