REDHILL is set to go snooker loopy in May as two of the sport's greatest ever players lock horns in an exhibition match at the Harlequin Theatre.
Six-time world champion Steve Davis will take on seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry on May 17 as part of the Snooker Legends tour, which takes place at various venues across the country.
And Davis, who now does some commentary work with the BBC, says he is looking forward to the occasion, with the event set to attract a good crowd.
He said: "I think people have got plenty of choice and it is an honour in a way that they choose to come and see you.
"We sign some autographs and have a chat with people and it is a much more social thing, but what you do feel is the goodwill of the crowd.
"It is confirmation that snooker is popular in the UK, even though the game is starting to spread its wings worldwide."
The 55-year-old, who has played in 30 World Championships spanning four decades, says he still enjoys playing, although he admits that he is nowhere near as involved in the competitive side of things and enjoys other things like commentary and presenting a music show on his local radio station, Phoenix FM.
"It is hard to be like that [competitive] for that long a time," he said.
"But I still enjoy it enough to pit my wits against the new breed.
"I have played in a number of decades and I am privileged to have done that.
"But I am now at the stage at playing matches with all these young men who have big futures in the game.
"I have outstayed my welcome really, but my long term game plan is to try and keep playing as long as I can.
"It is harder now though and every match for me is like a final."
But Davis said the Legends Tour was like a "celebration of snooker," adding that the timing of the tour worked out well, particularly with it coming so soon after the World Championships.
Meanwhile, he said he was pleased to see the reigning world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan confirm that he will play at this year's tournament, following an extended break from the game.
"It wasn't a dealbreaker if he didn't return to the sport and the game will always be stronger than any one player," said Davis.
"It is nice to see him back though and particularly as he is the World Champion as he will be trying to retain his title.
"It creates a bit more interest in it and that is a good thing."
Davis added that characters like O'Sullivan and the charismatic Judd Trump were good for the game, adding that they were a rare commodity, like Jimmy White from his era.
"They can get the crowd whipped up and they are a great asset as long as they do their job and don't cause too many problems," he said.
"Ultimately it takes hard work and dedication to get to the top of any sport though."
But Davis does believe that a proposed revamp of snooker could be good for the game, particularly with the sport's popularity on the rise across the globe.
The suggestions are that tournaments will include 128 players rather than 96, with the top ranked players joining in the first round, rather than at a later stage.
And Davis believes that will create more interest for people in different countries.
"Some people were jumping for joy, while for others, their chins dropped at the thought of playing in round one rather than starting in a certain round," he said.
"But everyone has a chance and with the players now, if they are good enough, they can come through at a lot quicker rate.
"You might get a few shock stories, but I think the main thing will be the local interest for people worldwide.
"The hotbed of the game is still in the UK, but it has really broken out in places like China, where there are something like 200-300 professionals."
