Dennis Taylor spent £50,000 on a flashy car after winning the in 1985. The 76-year-old from Coalisland, Northern Ireland, burst onto the scene in 1972 before clinching his first and only world title 13 years later, edging out in a nailbiting 18-17 win at the Crucible.

Thanks to his victory, Taylor took home a modest £60,000 cash prize. But it didn't take him long to make a hefty dent in his winnings, soon after spending £50k on a dark blue BMW 750. Speaking about his purchase, he explained: "I did allow myself one extravagant purchase after I won the world championship.

"I went and spent £50,000 on a car, and I couldn't believe I did it really. When I thougth back to when I first moved to England at 17, the first car I bought cost me £15.

"I often joke about it, it was the same price as a block of new chalk cost. To spend £50,000 on a motorcar was a bit silly back then, but I suppose I earned it anyway."

Taylor's World Championship win of 1985 didn't come without its hardships, at one point finding himself 9-1 down against Davis at the Crucible before battling back to an 18-17 victory. However, that fateful night in April four decades ago was ultimately the first and only time that the pro ever lifted the title, failing to make it past the quarter finals in the years subsequent.

Davis, meanwhile, lifted six World Championships of his own throughout the course of his illustrious career, his first landing in 1981 and his last coming in 1989. It comes as became the latest man to secure the World Championship on Monday evening, beating 18-12 in the final at the Crucible.

The Chinese sensation won 111 frames from nine games, over the course of 29 days (including qualifiers) to hoist the title, becoming the first Asian in history to secure the honour. Speaking about his win in Sheffield, he told the BBC: "This is like a dream. I can't believe it.

"There was big pressure and big nerves. I knew if I missed he could come back quickly. I was so nervous tonight. Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure. He's the best." Thanks to his achievement, Zhao won a £500,000 prize while also shooting up to 11th in the official world rankings ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, which kicks off later this year.