DAVID GRAY was tipped to be a future snooker world champion as a teenager.
But after bursting onto the scene and breaking records, he disappeared without fulfilling his potential.
David Gray was tipped to be a future snooker star[/caption]
But he never fulfilled his potential despite comparisons to world champs[/caption]
At the age of 16, Gray became the youngest ever winner of the English amateur title in 1995.
He became a professional a year later and went on to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round of the World Championships in 2000.
But his inability to perform consistently was on show in his next match as he lost 13-1 to Dominic Dale after scoring just 208 points, which was a record low in a best of 25-frame tie.
Gray continued to show his talent over the years, beating Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Mark Selby.
He defeated the ‘Jester From Leicester‘ in the 2003 Scottish Open final to win his first and only ranking title.
The victory saw him climb into the top 16 in the world rankings and he was the runner-up in the UK Championship the following year, losing to Stephen Maguire.
Gray remained at the top of the game for a few more years and legend Jimmy White became his practice partner.
But poor results set in from 2008 and he dropped off the tour.
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There was then a worrying incident while Gray was on holiday in Thailand.
He was found unconscious in a ditch after blacking out while drinking.
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The Londoner failed to progress from Q school in 2011 and 2013, seemingly then deciding to hang up his cue.
Gray was labelled “Casper” due to his pale complexion and likeness to the cartoon ghost.
And he lived up to his nickname by vanishing and his current whereabouts is unknown.
Snooker pundit Neal Foulds reminisced about Gray and compared him to current greats of the sport, saying: “I can think of three players who were completely outstanding at that age group, Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan and a lad called David Gray.
“He was another one who was completely above the standard for the age.
“Unfortunately David Gray doesn’t play anymore, disappeared from the scene.”
Gray was once beat Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Crucible[/caption]