His biggest scare in reaching the final came in the first round when he was run to 10-8 by Jimmy White, but former champions Alex Higgins, Terry Grifitths and Cliff Thorburn could not halt his progress.

Doug Mountjoy came through the other half of the draw to provide the opposition in the final. In the semi-finals, he made a 145 break, then a record for the world championship, in defeating Ray Reardon 16-10.

But there was no stopping Davis. Roared on by vociferous supporters, led by his ebullient manager Barry Hearn, he carved out a 6-0 lead and, despite Mountjoy's recovery to 8-10, clinched victory at 18-12.

Hearn, unable to contain his excitement, came charging into the arena and lifted Davis off the ground. It was by no means their last celebration at the Crucible.