English · Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England · Born 6 July 1959English professional snooker player and long-time broadcaster, twice a Masters finalist and winner of the 1989 Hong Kong Open.
Mike Hallett's 1989 Hong Kong Open title tells only part of his story; equally defining was the 1991 Masters final, where he led Stephen Hendry 7-0 and then 8-2 before Hendry completed one of the most extraordinary comebacks in the tournament's history. He established himself as a consistent top-16 player through the second half of the 1980s, reaching a career-high ranking of world number six in 1989/90. Hallett's sole ranking title came at the 1989 Hong Kong Open, where he beat Dene O'Kane 9-8. He reached two Masters finals, losing 9-0 to Steve Davis in 1988, and producing one of the tournament's most dramatic collapses in 1991, when he led defending champion Stephen Hendry 7-0 and 8-2 before Hendry completed a remarkable comeback to win 9-8. He reached the World Championship quarter-finals on two occasions. Hallett continued competing on the tour into the mid-2000s, with a final season in 2004/05, and returned briefly to competitive qualifying in the early 2010s. He suffered a stroke in 2021 but continued to work in broadcasting during his recovery. He has become one of snooker's most recognisable commentators, working for Eurosport and Sky Sports on Premier League Snooker and major ranking events for many years.
Two dramatic Masters final defeats, including a famous collapse against Stephen Hendry in 1991
How They Played
Consistent, tactically sound player
Lasting Impact
Long-serving professional and now a familiar Eurosport and Sky Sports commentator
Career Honours
- Masters runner-up, losing 9-0 to Steve Davis (1988)
- Won Hong Kong Open, sole ranking title (1989)
- Masters runner-up after leading Stephen Hendry 8-2 (1991)