Hazel Irvine: BBC Career, Apology to Mark Allen & Steve Davis

Few voices have become as synonymous with BBC snooker coverage as Hazel Irvine’s. For over three decades, her calm presence has guided viewers through tense frames at the Crucible, from the green baize of the World Championship to the fairways of the Open. But behind the professional poise lie two moments that tested her composure — an on-air apology to snooker star Mark Allen in 2023, and a silent treatment from legend Steve Davis nearly two decades earlier. This article pieces together the quiet professionalism that defines her career, and the personal privacy she guards fiercely.

Born: 26 May 1965 ·
Nationality: Scottish ·
Occupation: Sports presenter and broadcaster ·
Years active: 1988–present ·
Notable coverage: Snooker, golf, Olympic Games

Nine key facts about Hazel Irvine — from her birthplace to the number of Olympic Games she has fronted.

Is Hazel Irvine married?

• Yes, she married her long-term partner in a small private ceremony in 2008 (Express (UK news outlet)).
• Her husband’s name has not been publicly disclosed (Express (UK news outlet)).
• According to reports, the couple welcomed a daughter the following year (Wales Online (regional news site)).

The implication: Hazel Irvine guards her private life tightly — unlike many public figures, she has never paraded her relationship or family in the media. That choice may explain why detail about her husband remains scarce.

Has Hazel Irvine got children?

• Yes, she has one daughter, born in 2009 (Express (UK news outlet)).
• She welcomed her first child at age 43 (Wales Online (regional news site)).
• Her children’s names are not publicly known.

The pattern: Irvine’s choice to keep family life private is a deliberate strategy that prioritizes her professional reputation over public curiosity.

What does Hazel Irvine do now?

• She continues to present BBC sports coverage, regularly hosting snooker, golf, and the Olympic Games (Speakers Corner (speaker agency profile)).
• She is also available as a live host and after-dinner speaker (Speakers Corner (speaker agency profile)).
• In 2026, a report noted she was still fronting BBC World Snooker Championship coverage at age 60 (Wales Online (regional news site)).

What this means: Her continued presence on BBC coverage signals that age is not a barrier in sports presenting when the talent and experience remain strong.

Why did Hazel Irvine apologize to Mark Allen?

• During the 2023 World Snooker Championship, Irvine made a comment about Allen’s personal life while on air (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).
• She immediately apologised, saying: “I am sorry if my comment caused any offense.” (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
• Mark Allen accepted the apology and the matter was closed (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).

The pattern: A live television slip can become a career-defining moment, but Irvine’s swift, unqualified apology — and Allen’s gracious acceptance — allowed the incident to fade rather than fester.

Why did Mark Allen split with his wife?

• Mark Allen’s divorce from his wife was reported as personal and not publicly detailed (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).
• The split occurred before the 2023 incident, and Irvine’s comment reportedly referenced this separation.

Why did Steve Davis refuse to talk to Hazel Irvine?

• In 2005, during a BBC interview, Irvine asked Davis about his marriage; he was offended and refused to speak to her for a period (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).
• Davis later admitted he overreacted, calling his reaction “stupid” (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).
• The rift was eventually repaired, and Davis and Irvine continued to work together on snooker coverage (Hazel Irvine official biography (primary source)).

“I was stupid to react that way.”

Steve Davis, reflecting on the 2005 incident (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))

The catch: While the incident could have ended their professional relationship, both parties chose to move forward, illustrating the resilience needed in live television.

Did Steve Davis leave his wife?

• Yes, Steve Davis left his wife for a younger woman, though the separation was not directly linked to the 2005 incident (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).

Timeline signal

• 1965: Born in Scotland (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
• 1986: Began broadcasting at Radio Clyde in Glasgow (Gordon Poole Agency (talent agency))
• 1987: TV debut on STV’s Scotsport (Hazel Irvine official biography (primary source))
• 1988: Network debut with ITV at Seoul Olympics (Hazel Irvine official biography (primary source))
• 1990: Joins BBC Scotland (Hazel Irvine official biography (primary source))
• 1993: Becomes youngest-ever presenter of BBC Grandstand (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
• 1996–97: Presents Ski Sunday (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
• 2001: Teams up with John Parrott and Steve Davis for snooker coverage (Hazel Irvine official biography (primary source))
• 2005: Steve Davis incident (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
• 2008: Marries long-term partner (Express (UK news outlet))
• 2009: Daughter born (Wales Online (regional news site))
• 2023: Apologises to Mark Allen live on air (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))

What this means: Irvine’s career spans nearly four decades, with only two public blemishes — both handled with composure. The timeline shows a broadcaster who has outlasted many peers through consistency and discretion.

“I am sorry if my comment caused any offense.”

Hazel Irvine, on-air apology during 2023 World Snooker Championship (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))

“My childhood was filled with sports and outdoor activity.”

Hazel Irvine, in a 2019 interview (Express (UK news outlet))

For Hazel Irvine, the lesson of both incidents is clear: a single misstep on live television does not have to end a career. Her readiness to apologise — and her colleagues’ willingness to accept — allowed her to remain the trusted face of BBC snooker. For younger broadcasters watching, the takeaway is equally direct: own the mistake, move on, and keep the focus on the sport.