Tony Meo

English snooker player who reached world number one in doubles-era rankings and was a dominant World Doubles Championship partner of Steve Davis in the 1980s.

Born in Tooting, south London, on 4 October 1959, Anthony Meo grew up playing snooker with schoolfriend Jimmy White, skipping school together to practise. At 17 he became the then-youngest player known to have compiled an unofficial maximum 147 break, and he turned professional in 1979 after winning the British under-19 title. Nicknamed 'The Cat' for his all-round style, Meo established himself as a regular top-16 professional through the 1980s. His sole ranking title came at the 1989 British Open, where he beat Dean Reynolds 13-6 having entered the tournament as a 200-1 outsider; he also reached the World Championship semi-finals that same year, losing to eventual champion John Parrott. He was ranked world number one during the 1991/92 season. Meo was equally successful in doubles play, partnering Steve Davis to multiple World Doubles Championship titles during the mid-1980s, and representing England alongside Davis and Tony Knowles in the 1983 World Team Classic. In 1986 he was one of five players managed by Barry Hearn who featured on the novelty hit single 'Snooker Loopy' by Chas & Dave. Meo retired from full-time competition in 1997, though he returned for brief spells in the 2000s and 2010s. He built a long career in snooker media, working as a BBC and Sky Sports pundit and a newspaper columnist, and now runs a watch and jewellery business in Hatton Garden.

All-round game with strong break-building and doubles craft

One of the most consistent top-16 professionals of the 1980s and 90s