Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White is one of the world’s snooker legends. He has been at the top of his career for 30 years, winning a total of 23 professional titles and competing in the finals of six snooker World Championships. Known as The People’s Champion, he was the youngest ever winner of the World Amateur Snooker Championship at the age of 18, and turned pro the same year in 1980. He talks to Freetime prior to his show in Watford.

Who is your snooker hero and why?

Alex Higgins was always my hero and became my best friend in snooker.

What was your greatest sporting moment?

Winning the UK championship, I beat Parrott in the final, but played great throughout.

What was your darkest sporting hour and how did you recover?

Not had a dark moment, feel very privileged to have played a sport I love for 30 years.

What inspires you to keep playing and have you had any thoughts about retiring? What would you do in retirement?

As long as I can compete I will play, I’m 64 in the world now so it’s getting tougher, but I’ll carry on for as long as I can and on my day I still think I can compete with anyone.

Do you have any sporting ambitions left? If so what are they and why?

To win the World Championships of course!

When did you realise that you had a talent?

Me and my mates used to hide from school in the snooker hall in Tooting, one day I just picked up a cue.

What is your most vivid childhood memory?

Touring the country in a cab as a young kid with Tony Meo hustling players for a few bob.

If it hadn’t been snooker what would it have been?

No idea, I’m not one of those who is good at other sports

Is snooker undergoing a renaissance and will it ever become as popular as it was in the 80s? What was the reason for the decline in interest?

I don’t think it will ever be as popular as it was in the ‘80s, football dominates everything now. But also in those days you only had four TV channels so viewing figures were massive.

Why don’t more women play snooker professionally?

There is one, Reanne Evans who has won the Ladies World Title ten times and is now playing some men’s events. I’m actually involved in trying to mentor her and we’ve got her a top coach now, so watch this space.

What is the downside of fame and how have you dealt with it?

I don’t think there is a downside, I guess it can make you a bit selfish, but my fans have always been very good with me.

You were diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1995. Are you still in remission? How did the news affect your life and has it altered your lifestyle in any way since?

It was a massive shock and made me feel mortal. Luckily for me it was just confined to that part of my body and touch wood I am all clear, but we’re now seeing Ali Carter fight this terrible disease.

You have five children – any grandkids? And if, so, do you do any babysitting?

Yeah I’m a granddad now and it’s great to spend time with them, although their mum says I spoil them and I give them back hyper.

Do you ever cry? If so, why?

Certain things get me emotional, grief mostly. losing Paul Alan Hunter (who died at 28 of neuroendocrine tumours) and obviously close family members.

What three things can’t you live without?

My snooker cue, my snooker case and my snooker chalk!

How would you describe yourself in a sentence?

A whirlwind both on and off the table, just blowing a little less nowadays.

Your epitaph?

A rascal from Tooting who did alright, made a few people smile and shared a beer or two too many along the way.