Teenage Michael Holt and nine-year-old Gary Wilson hit television screens in 1995 (Pictures: BBC)
Michael Holt and Gary Wilson play in the UK Championship on Monday night, 29 years after their first played on television in Big Break: Stars of the Future.
The snooker-themed gameshow was a huge hit on British television through the 1990s, so much so they showed a children’s version of the main event.
Holt and Wilson appeared on the programme in 1995, with the former 16 and the latter just nine years old.
After the Hitman came through qualifying, he recalled the first time he ever met Wilson all those years ago.
‘It’s funny, we played on Big Break together,’ said Holt. ‘He was a bit younger than me. Tom Ford played there as well. Junior Big break, that was the first time.
‘I saw him in the junior days, he was obviously a bit younger than me but I can remember him being really small. You could see that potential though.
‘He’s a great story. He got on tour, dropped off, he was working and now he’s back. It shows you you’ve just got to keep swinging. He’s obviously a fantastic player, very talented. It’s a good 30 years I’ve known him.’
Michael Holt won four games to qualify for the UK Championship (Picture: Getty Images)
Wilson has mentioned that Big Break appearance before, saying: ‘Being on TV at that age I didn’t know what was going on – I just wanted to get on the table and play. It was all bright lights, massive crowds and a bit much at the time.
‘When I got back to school the teacher made a big fuss and showed the class the newspaper – it was pretty embarrassing. I got a lot of stick.’
Wilson did indeed fall out of the professional game in 2006, worked as a taxi driver for some years before returning to the tour in 2013.
He is now the reigning Scottish Open and Welsh Open champion, an inspiration to Holt who himself returned to the pro tour this season after a spell as an amateur.
Gary Wilson won the Scottish and Welsh Opens last season (Picture: Getty Images)
‘That’s the dream,’ said Holt. ‘Not everyone’s world champion by the time they’re 21. For whatever reason, the stars don’t align, or they’ve not got it at the time, but if you’ve got that belief that you can play to that level then you’ve got to keep going. Life is very short and one day you might regret it.
‘He’s a great story. But I want to end that story on Monday night.’
Holt’s four wins to qualify for the UK Championship represented his best outing since his return to the pro tour, but he wants to keep the run going in York.
‘I’ve got loads of experiences down the years, good and bad,’ he said. ‘I’ve never felt in awe of any player when I’m playing them.
‘I know the standard is great but I’m my hardest opponent I’ve ever played, by a million miles. If I can get hold of him, sort him out, I’ve always got a chance.
‘I’m just going to enjoy it. I’m desperate to win, I know I can win.’