1 Steve Davis:

Six-time world champion, Spitting Image gave him the nickname 'interesting'.

2 Jimmy White: Best player never to have won the world title, the 'whirlwind' was a people's champion.

3 Alex Higgins:

Hurricans Higgins oozed charisma in his early years but became a tragic figure after a life of heavy drinking.

4 Tony Knowles:

Pin-up boy who was a three-time world semi-finalist before fading from the game.

5 Cliff Thorburn:

Canadian star who famously achieved the first televised 147 break.

6 Terry Griffiths:

Welsh player - known for his pedestrian style of play - who won the title once.

7 Dennis Taylor:

Half the country watched him beating Steve Davis in 1985.

8 Doug Mountjoy:

Steady Welshman who never quite made it to the major finals.

9 Kirk Stevens:

Flamboyant Canadian whose career slumped after he admitted drug use.

10 Bill Werbeniuk:

Canadian who was famous for beer-drinking and splitting his trousers.