He joined fellow speakers John Htet-Khin and BBC football analyst Chick Young to entertain the 450 strong audience.

The vast surroundings of the Lanark Agricultural Centre provided an unusual backdrop as I was joined by Taylor, one of the most recognisable faces in sport.
With a record that most snooker players could only dream of, he has every right to brag about his achievements.

But the cheerful Irishman is as down to earth as our surroundings for the evening.

Ever willing to pose for pictures and sign autographs, Dennis settles down to talk me through his glittering career.

His crowning moment was of course his 1985 Embassy World Championship Final victory over Steve Davis.

The man from just outside Belfast trailed 8-0 at one stage to the six times World Champion.

But eventually he clawed his way back, somehow, to 17-17 and set up the most memorable finale the game has ever seen.

He recalls: "1985 was the very special one. There were quite a few over the four year period but that was the one that everybody remembers. It's hard to believe that 18.5million people stayed up.

"I do a bit of work with Steve Davis now and he says he remembers that more than the six he won.

"You'd never get viewing figures like that again. It was just something that captured the imagination of the public."

Being crowned World Champion is the pinnacle of any player's career but with a cheeky smile to show his pleasure, Dennis tells of his victory over his "good old buddy and foe" Alex Higgins in the Benson and Hedges Masters.

He said: "Alex led me 8-5 and I'll never forget it.

"A friend of mine told me he had just seen Alex's manager with a dozen bottles of champagne in the press room to celebrate Alex winning his first tournament for two years.

"But he was only 8-5 up, first to nine. So whenever my friend told me that I went back out and won the last four frames. That was a special moment."

After more than 20 years at the top of his profession, many would think that Taylor would be ready to don his waistcoat and infamous glasses in a second.

However, eight years after he packed his cue away for the last time as a pro, he has no regrets about ending his fantastic career.

"I couldn't have retired in a better way," he says.

"My last TV appearance was against Scotland in a five nations team championship, when I managed to beat Stephen Hendry in a frame.

"My very last competitive frame on television was against John Higgins when John had never made a maximum break, not even in practice.

"I broke off and John made his first ever maximum. I was delighted for him, even though he beat me.

"It was a great way to finish my career."

With his playing days at an end, Taylor has become an invaluable asset to the BBC's snooker coverage alongside ex pros such as Davis and John Parrot.

Life is good for the 59-year-old, who now has other matters to focus on.

He said: "I enjoy my golf and I've got a young family so that keeps me as busy as I want to be.

"I've recently joined Archerfield Links and it's a fantastic set-up there. It is one of the best facilities I have ever seen so I'm delighted to have joined there.

"I'll be spending quite a bit of time up there during the summer."

Although Taylor has never made the transition from player to coach, he has plenty of advice for any players bidding to become the next Dott, Hendry or Higgins.

"I started playing when I was eight or nine years old and the game fascinated me," Taylor added.

"I never dreamt I would be a professional but I've been very blessed. I've had many years as a professional and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

"You've got to practise and practise and practise and you've got to get as much competition as you possibly can, that's always the way.

"Try and practise with somebody who is better than yourself and if you can then start beating them you'll know how you're coming on in the game, that was always my philosophy.

"You don't know how far you're going to go in the game until you give it your best shot."

There is just enough time to get a quick bit of inside knowledge on this year's World Snooker Championship.

The winner is anybody's guess and Dennis is equally non-committal over the issue.

He rhymes off some of the greats of today's game and dissects each player's strengths and weaknesses.

It is fascinating listening that provides little in the way of answers.
Take your pick from O'Sullivan, Selby, Ding Junhui, Graeme Dott, John Higgins and the man Taylor rates as the best ever, Stephen Hendry.
And now it's show time.

As drink starts to flow below us, Dennis is whisked away for picture and autograph opportunities before taking his place at the top table.
One of the greatest? I'll drink to that.