I was one of the hottest stars in snooker and a childhood pal of Jimmy White but I retired to run a jewellery shop
TONY MEO was once one of the hottest stars in all of snooker.
A childhood star of legend Jimmy White, Meo burst onto the snooker scene as a teenager.
And at the age of just 17 he hit a maximum break, becoming the youngest person to ever do so, until Ronnie O’Sullivan took the record for his own.
Meo also won the Under-19 championship in Italy before turning pro at the age of 19. Indeed, Meo was even managed by Barry Hearn at one stage.
The left-hander had a particularly outstanding year in 1989, with him beating Stephen Hendry at the British Open.
Later that year he added a semi-final appearance at the Crucible to his CV, defeating Joe Johnson, Eddie Charlton and Dean Reynolds before losing 16-9 to John Parrott.
Double’s success would follow, winning four world titles with Steve Davis with the first of these coming in 1982.
Meo would also reach the last four of the UK championships, the Masters at Wembley and the Professional Players tournament.
The now 63-year-old would retire in 1997 after falling down the rankings.
He now runs a shop in Hatton Garden, south London, selling jewellery and watches.
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However, he has seldom been seen in snooker circles in more recent years.
During his career, Meo also dabbled in experiences away from snooker.
He starred in the Chas and Dave song “Snooky Loopy”, which shot to number six in the UK charts.