The Davis and Parrott Show

John Parrott has discovered his zest for the game

By BBC Sport's Clive Everton in Preston

Steve Davis and John Parrott are attempting a unique duality of roles in Preston.

Together with Hazel Irvine, these two former world champions are presenting BBC TV's coverage of the LG Cup - in which both are still involved at the last 32 stage.

At heart, they are players, but both have acquired considerable media experience.

Parrott has been for many years a team captain on BBC TV's A Question of Sport programme, while Davis has filled many roles for many broadcasters: DJ, interviewer, panellist and technical analyst.

Both have a future in the media but both appreciate that they will be a long time retired.

Davis, at 44, is more obviously in the twilight of his career.

Down to 21st in the rankings, he has resolved to enjoy his remaining years of top-level competition.

Grinding out results

He has managed to get behind him that bugbear of many a great champion - the sense of competing with his own past.

For years, he has attempted to make his experience tell, taking no avoidable risks and trying to grind out results.

Davis is now playing in a brisker style

The distinguished Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler, whose new book 'On Snooker' is a diary of the season before last, described Davis as "snooker's answer to Harold Pinter: a master of the meaningful pause."

Such an approach did not even have the redeeming feature of effectiveness, so this season he has adopted a brisk, positive attitude.

This has given him more enjoyment and, so far, improved his performances.

His 5-3 win on Sunday over Northern Ireland's number two Patrick Wallace, a surprise world championship quarter-finalist at the Crucible last spring, was achieved in encouraging fashion.

It gives him a meeting against Stephen Lee, the world number eight, on Monday with a place in last 16 at stake.

Turning point

Wallace played extremely well to lead 3-1, making frame-winning breaks of 93, 71, and 98 to one of 78 from the six-times world and UK champion.

The turning point came in fifth frame when Wallace missed a simple green on the brink of 4-1.

Even so, Davis still had to clear to 57 for the black ball win which brought him level at 3-3 before breaks of 63 and 66 carried him through the next two frames and into the next round.

For a couple of years I'd been more or less going through motions

John Parrott

"The TV side of it doesn't make a blind bit of difference," said Davis of his two roles . "It's enjoyable to be part of it all.

"I've never been a particularly keen student of watching other players, but that side of it keeps my mind on the job and kills time rather than hanging around."

Parrott stands 22nd in rankings after 14 seasons in the top 16.

But at the age of 37, rather than accept a continuing slide down standings, he had rekindled his relationship with Frank Callan.

'Great to have around'

The father of modern coaching ended his association with Stephen Hendry in February.

"Everyone knows what great technical knowledge Frank has, but it's not just that," said Parrott. "He's great to have around.

"I've regained my zest for the sport, and I'm going to enjoy myself this season. For a couple of years I'd been more or less going through the motions."

Having trailed 3-1 and 4-3, the 1991 world champion managed a 5-4 win over Pakistani number one Shokat Ali, and plays John Higgins on Monday.

Higgins, winner of a hat-trick of early season titles, is expected to leave Parrott free to concentrate on his presenting duties

But having regained at least some of his lost confidence, the veteran cannot be underestimated.