Snooker stars agree on five best players never to be world champions

A selection of top cueists have picked out the five best players never to have won a . Victory at the Crucible is the highest honour in the sport, and while the gruelling nature of the tournament means that it's usually the cream of the crop that go on to win it, there are a handful of stars who did not, or have not fulfilled their destiny.

, , and were the four players put on the spot. And there was strong support for Jimmy White as the top pick, given his agonising runs to six finals without ever winning the top prize.

"He was so close to the winning line so many times," Murphy told . "He should have won in 1984, 1992 and 1994. I'm sure Jimmy is sick of talking about it." Hawkins also name-dropped the Whirlwind, while Selby added: "It's the only thing missing off his CV. I was always fighting for Jimmy to win one."

Ding Junhui was another popular choice. The 38-year-old was knocked out of this year's tournament by Luca Brecel, but as a former world No. 1 and a veteran of two semi-finals and a final, he is a player with serious pedigree.

"He is probably the best not to win it," said 2010 world champion Robertson. "Hopefully he can do it one day." Hawkins added: "He is just an unbelievable player and he's still got time on his side."

The late Paul Hunter, who died at the age of 27, was also mentioned following his run to the semi-finals in 2003. "You never know how he would have got on," said Hawkins. "But all the signs were pointing towards him winning the World Championship at one point."

Four-time world champion Selby added: "If it wasn't for us losing him, it was only a matter of time before he won the World Championship himself."

Hawkins threw himself into the mix. The 46-year-old reached at least the semi-finals five times in six years between 2013 and 2018. "I've come close a few times," he said. Murphy also backed Hawkins' inclusion, saying: "He is certainly the best player in the game at the moment to never win a major."

The fifth and final name put forward was that of Matthew Stevens. The Welshman twice lost in the final, including once in 2005 to Murphy, who said: "He has got to be in the mix for the best player in terms of talent, ability and other events he won."