Few faces are as familiar to BBC snooker fans as Hazel Irvine’s, but recent years have brought a mix of personal milestones and on-air moments that have made headlines far beyond the baize. At 59, the Scottish presenter has covered everything from golf to the Olympics, yet questions about her private life and career choices keep surfacing.

Full name: Hazel Jane Irvine ·
Born: 24 May 1965 ·
Age: 59 (as of 2024) ·
Nationality: Scottish ·
Occupation: Sports presenter ·
Years active: 1988–present

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What happens next
  • Irvine continues to appear on BBC Crucible coverage, including the 2026 championship (Mirror, snooker media analysis)
  • No announcement of retirement or permanent departure from snooker (Mirror, snooker media analysis)

Seven key facts, and the pattern is clear: Hazel Irvine’s public career is well-documented, but her private life remains deliberately opaque, and the two collided in unexpected ways during the 2020s.

Fact Detail
Occupation Sports presenter, BBC (The Telegraph, sports journalism)
Children 1 daughter, born 2009 (Express, UK family reporting)
2023 apology Apologised to Mark Allen after comment on missed black (Mirror, snooker coverage)
2026 Steve Davis incident Davis turned his back after Irvine referenced 1985 final (The Sun, live TV report)
Workload reduction Reportedly reduced BBC workload in 2017 for family reasons (Express, family-focused reporting)
Continued BBC presence Still used in live Crucible coverage as of 2026 (Mirror, snooker media analysis)
1985 final reference Irvine mentioned the black-ball final (Dennis Taylor v Steve Davis) during 2026 broadcast (BBC Sport, archival programme)

Why is Hazel Irvine not presenting World snooker?

The question has popped up repeatedly in fan forums and search engines, but the short answer is: she still is — at least for now. Hazel Irvine has been a mainstay of BBC’s snooker coverage for decades, and reports from the Mirror (snooker media analysis) confirm she was still in the Crucible studio for the 2026 championship. However, her workload has not been constant. In 2017, the Express (UK family reporting) reported that she reduced part of her BBC sports commitments to prioritise family life. That decision may have fuelled speculation that she had stepped away permanently.

Who replaced Hazel Irvine at the World Snooker Championship?

  • Presenter Seema Jaswal has taken on more snooker anchoring duties in recent years, including the 2024 championship, according to BBC scheduling (BBC Sport, programme listings).
  • However, Irvine has continued to appear alongside Jaswal, making it a shared role rather than a direct replacement.

What did the BBC say about her absence?

  • The BBC has not issued an official statement about Irvine’s workload. Instead, the Mirror (snooker media analysis) notes that the broadcaster has “continued to use Irvine in live Crucible coverage,” implying there was no formal departure.
  • Fans have speculated about personal reasons, but no confirmed details have been made public.
The upshot

Hazel Irvine hasn’t left snooker broadcasting — she’s simply scaled back her schedule. The confusion stems from a mix of quiet family prioritisation and the rising profile of younger presenters like Seema Jaswal. For viewers who miss her full-time presence, the good news is that she’s not gone; she’s just more selective about when she appears.

The implication: Hazel Irvine’s selective appearances reflect a deliberate balancing act between public career and private life.

Has Hazel Irvine had a baby?

Yes. The Express (UK family reporting) reports that Irvine gave birth to a baby girl in 2009, when she was 43. The birth was kept private, and she missed the 2009 World Snooker Championship as a result, according to Pro Snooker Blog (specialist biography), which names the daughter as Gina.

When did Hazel Irvine become a mother?

  • 2009, at age 43 — making her a relatively late first-time mother.
  • She has not publicly discussed the details of her pregnancy or motherhood.

Who is the father of Hazel Irvine’s child?

  • This remains one of the most persistent unanswered questions. The Express (UK family reporting) notes that Irvine married in a secret ceremony and that her husband’s identity has never been publicly confirmed.
  • No credible source has named the father, and Irvine has chosen to keep that aspect of her life entirely private.
The paradox

Hazel Irvine is one of the most recognisable faces on BBC sport, yet she has managed to keep the most intimate details of her life — marriage, baby, husband — completely out of the public eye. That level of privacy is rare in modern broadcasting, and it’s a deliberate choice that commands respect even as it frustrates curiosity.

The pattern: Irvine’s ability to maintain privacy while remaining a public figure is a rare achievement.

Who did Hazel Irvine apologize to?

During the 2023 World Snooker Championship semi-final, Hazel Irvine made a comment about Mark Allen’s missed black that prompted an on-air apology. The Mirror (breaking snooker news) reported that she expressed regret for the remark, which was perceived as a criticism of the player. GB News (sports news desk) quoted her saying she was “really sorry” to Mark Allen.

What did Hazel Irvine apologize for?

  • She commented on Allen’s missed black during the semi-final, implying it was a costly error.
  • The apology was broadcast live, and she specifically addressed Mark Allen.

How did the audience react?

  • The incident was widely reported but did not escalate into a major controversy. Most coverage treated it as a minor misstep and a gracious recovery.

What sport did Hazel Irvine play?

Before becoming a broadcaster, Hazel Irvine was a talented golfer. She played for Scotland at youth level, as noted in The Telegraph (sports journalism). She did not turn professional, instead moving into sports presenting after university. Her golf background has informed her coverage of the sport, and she has also presented at the Olympics and other major events.

Did Hazel Irvine play golf professionally?

  • No. She represented Scotland at youth level but did not pursue a professional career.

What other sports has Hazel Irvine been involved in?

  • She has covered the Summer and Winter Olympics, golf majors, and snooker’s biggest tournaments for the BBC.

Who turned his back on Hazel Irvine?

During the 2026 World Snooker Championship, BBC pundit Steve Davis turned his back on Hazel Irvine during a live broadcast after she referenced the famous 1985 black-ball final. The Sun (Irish sports desk) reported that Davis physically turned away from the camera and refused to answer her question, which was about the 1985 final between Dennis Taylor and Davis. Wales Online (live TV analysis) described the moment as a “humorous live reaction” rather than a hostile confrontation.

Why did Steve Davis turn his back on Hazel Irvine?

  • The incident was apparently a playful jibe: Davis, who lost the 1985 final on the final black, seemed to feign annoyance at being reminded of the defeat.
  • Irvine later said she was “just making a point about iPlayer availability,” according to The Sun (Irish sports desk).

What was the context of the incident?

  • The exchange occurred during studio coverage, not during a match. The Sun (Irish sports desk) confirmed it was captured live on BBC television.
  • Davis later reportedly called his own reaction “stupid,” according to Buzzcore (snooker commentary site), though that source is a tier-3 blog and should be treated with caution.

The pattern: what could have been a career-ending spat was instead treated as a light-hearted moment by the BBC, which continued to feature both Davis and Irvine in subsequent broadcasts.

Timeline: Key moments in Hazel Irvine’s career

  • 24 May 1965 – Hazel Irvine born in Scotland.
  • 1988 – Joined BBC as a sports presenter.
  • 1990s – Became regular face on BBC snooker and golf coverage.
  • 2009 – Gave birth to daughter Gina; missed World Championship.
  • 2013 – Awarded MBE for services to broadcasting.
  • 2017 – Reportedly reduced BBC workload to prioritise family.
  • 2023 – Apologised on air to Mark Allen.
  • 2026 – Steve Davis turned his back during live broadcast.

The timeline demonstrates how Irvine’s career and personal life have intersected at key points.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Apologised to Mark Allen in 2023 (Mirror)
  • Steve Davis turned his back in 2026 (The Sun)
  • Gave birth to a daughter in 2009 (Express)
  • Continued to present for BBC in 2026 (Mirror)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for workload reduction in 2017
  • Identity of husband/father of child
  • Whether the Davis incident was scripted or genuine
  • Full details of the 2023 technical error that led to apology

The confirmed facts outweigh the uncertainties, but the gaps in the public record underline Irvine’s commitment to privacy.

Quotes from the incidents

“I’m really sorry to Mark Allen – it was a clumsy comment.”

– Hazel Irvine, on-air apology during the 2023 World Snooker Championship (GB News)

“The 1985 final is on iPlayer now – but Steve clearly doesn’t want to watch it.”

– Hazel Irvine, during the 2026 exchange with Steve Davis (The Sun)

“It was a stupid reaction on my part.”

– Steve Davis, reportedly commenting on the back-turn incident (Buzzcore)

The implication: both incidents were quickly smoothed over within the BBC’s snooker team, and neither led to any lasting rift.

Summary

Hazel Irvine has built a career on quiet professionalism and a willingness to keep her private life genuinely private. The controversies that have surfaced — the apology, the back-turn, the questions about her family — have not derailed her. For BBC viewers who enjoy her calm presence, the choice is clear: she remains a fixture at the Crucible, but with a lighter schedule that allows her to balance work and life on her own terms.

Additional sources

buzzcore.uk, thesun.co.uk, hoteleokazje.pl

Frequently asked questions

How old is Hazel Irvine?

She was born on 24 May 1965, making her 59 as of 2024.

What is Hazel Irvine’s net worth?

Her net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates vary widely, but as a long-serving BBC presenter she is believed to have a comfortable income.

Is Hazel Irvine married?

Yes, she is married, but she has kept her husband’s identity private. No official confirmation of his name has been made.

Who is Hazel Irvine’s husband?

The identity of her husband has not been publicly confirmed. She has chosen to keep that information private.

What awards has Hazel Irvine won?

She was awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to broadcasting.

Did Hazel Irvine play golf professionally?

No. She played golf for Scotland at youth level but did not turn professional.

Why did Hazel Irvine leave the BBC?

She has not left the BBC. She reduced her workload in 2017 but continues to present snooker and other sports for the broadcaster.

What is Hazel Irvine doing now?

She continues to present live snooker coverage for the BBC, including the 2026 World Championship.

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