Who was Clive Everton and what was the BBC snooker commentator’s cause of death?

CLIVE Everton was a legendary snooker commentator, journalist, and broadcaster.

Clive passed away on September 27, 2024, at the age of 87, after an illustrious career spanning over five decades.

Who was Clive Everton?

Clive Everton was born in Worcester, England on September 7, 1937.

His journey as a snooker commentator began on BBC radio in 1972, when Alex Higgins won his first world title.

In 1978, Clive made his debut for the BBC at the World Championship, remarkably with just 20 minutes' notice.

This impromptu start marked the beginning of a 30-year tenure with the BBC, during which he became an integral part of their snooker coverage.

He became widely known as the "voice of snooker" — but his influence in the game extends far beyond commentary.

Playing career

Before fully dedicating himself to journalism and commentary, Clive had a notable 10-year career as a snooker player.

He won junior national billiards titles as an amateur before becoming a professional snooker player in 1981.

Clive reached a career-high ranking of 47th in the world.

He was also a talented tennis player, competing at county level for Worcestershire and playing in Wimbledon qualifiers.

Personal life

Clive also worked as a teacher.

He graduated from Cardiff University with a BA in English, before marrying his wife Valerie.

Clive then moved to the Midlands where his new father-in-law arranged a teaching job at a college of further education in Halesowen, where he taught English and Liberal Studies.

But journalism was what he really wanted to pursue as a career.

BBC commentary career

Everton's role as a commentator grew significantly in the mid-1990s following the retirement of lead commentators Jack Karnehm and Ted Lowe.

It was during this period that he truly became the definitive voice of snooker.

His commentary style was characterised by its understated nature, effective use of silence and carefully chosen words, all of which added depth and insight to the matches he covered.

The Voice of Snooker is silent now but will forever be remembered by the sport he loved

Dave Hendon

Clive covered some of the biggest moments in the game, including providing commentary for Stephen Hendry's record-breaking seventh world title in 1999.

He said: “Ray Reardon six times world champion in the 70s, Steve Davis six times in the 80s, but it’s a magnificent seven times for Stephen Hendry in the 90s.”

Journalist and author

Beyond his commentary work, Clive was a prolific journalist and author in the world of snooker.

He served as the editor of Snooker Scene magazine for over 50 years.

Clive contributed articles to major newspapers such as the Guardian and the Independent on Sunday.

The legend also authored and published more than 20 books on cue sports.

Further broadcasting

Everton's expertise extended beyond his TV appearances for the BBC and written journalism.

He was a regular contributor on BBC Radio 5 Live, providing updates for listeners while he commentated at snooker tournaments.

After his time with the BBC came to an end, Clive continued to commentate for Sky Sports and later ITV until 2020.

Awards and recognition

Clive’s contributions to snooker were widely recognised — he was inducted into snooker's Hall of Fame in 2017.

He was also awarded an MBE for his services to the sport in 2019.

In 2022, the trophy for the British Open was named in his honour.

Legacy

Clive's impact on snooker extended far beyond his commentary.

He was a lover of the game who helped to shape the sport's identity. 

His deep knowledge, articulate delivery and passion made him “the voice of snooker”.

Clive's commentary provided the soundtrack to some of snooker's most iconic moments, including Stephen Hendry's dominance during the 1990s and the rise of modern greats like Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams.

His dedication to snooker journalism, particularly through his long-standing editorship of Snooker Scene magazine, helped maintain a comprehensive record of the sport's history and development.

Cause of death

While the exact cause of death has not been stated, Clive had been living with Parkinson's disease in his later years.

The disease had prevented him from traveling to tournaments since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Clive’s passing marks the end of an era in snooker broadcasting.

His distinctive voice and insightful commentary will be deeply missed by fans and professionals alike.

As current commentator David Hendon said: "The Voice of Snooker is silent now but will forever be remembered by the sport he loved.”