EXCLUSIVE: Three-times Masters winner Paul Hunter was snooker's poster boy, nicknamed 'Beckham of the Baize,' but he died from cancer 20 years ago, aged 27, when his daughter, Evie, was just 10 months old. In her first interview, she tells how she plans to present a trophy named in his honour

Rubbish at pool and even worse at snooker, Evie Hunter says her dad’s genetics have not been passed on. Her father was Yorkshireman Paul Hunter, who was ranked fourth best snooker player in the world the year before his death on 9 October 2006 from rare neuroendocrine cancer in his stomach, aged just 27.

Leeds lass Evie, 20, has certainly inherited the blonde hair and striking good looks that earned him the nickname “Beckham of the Baize,” because of comparisons between him and David Beckham. And, in her first ever interview, she displays every ounce of the star quality that made her dad such a fan favourite.

Evie, who captained her school netball team, says: “I’ve played more pool than snooker but only with friends. At the start of a game they’ll say ‘you should be really good.’ And at the end, they go ‘maybe you need more practice.’ When I have tried snooker, I’ve thought ‘Jesus Christ, I should be better at this!’ So I’ve not got that in my genetics at all. Though, in other ways, people who knew Paul tell me I’m just like him. I know our smiles are similar.”

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Evie, who was just 10 months old when she lost the father she calls Paul, will step into the spotlight for the first time on January 17, at the 2027 Masters at London’s Alexandra Palace, to present the winner with the Paul Hunter Trophy, named in honour of her father, who won that tournament three times.

She says: “It’s the first time people will see what I am, what I look like, and it’s a bit nerve-wracking, but I’m excited. This is the first year I’ve felt fully ready to commit to things like this. I want to do Paul proud.”

Paul kept his feelings about becoming a dad fairly private as, diagnosed in March 2005, he was having cancer treatment when she was born. But in a smiling picture of him cradling her as a baby, minus his trademark blond hair because of chemotherapy, his joy is clear for all to see.

What he did talk about was his sex symbol image, which he found hard to understand. In a 2005 interview, he said: “I don’t ever feel like a sex god! I’m just a normal lad from a council estate in Leeds. I’m dead ordinary.”

After his death, his wife Lindsey, a beauty consultant in his native Leeds, who he met when he was 18 and she was 21, met the man who Evie calls ‘Dad’ - Jonny Mcdonald, a commercial van dealerships owner. Evie was two when they began dating. They married in 2013 and had a daughter, Freya, now 17.

Evie says: “I’ve had such a lovely life with my parents and sister. I’ve been treated incredibly well. It’s the most amazing family and I don’t feel I’ve missed out in any way. Paul is the one who has missed out the most, and I feel very sad for him about that. Boxing Day will be my 21st birthday, and it’s more front of my mind than ever that this is a long period of my life Paul has missed out on, including these big celebrations. But I see his family and my family on those days, which is lovely. And I know Paul would always have been there for me and loving me.”

Evie, who is in her final year of a 3 year course in Criminology & Sociology at the University of Manchester, is in a long-term relationship with a professional rugby union player who she refers to simply as ‘Tom,’ but who she hopes to marry and have children with one day. She continues: “Family members have often said how proud Paul would have been of me, including that I’ve gone to uni” - her father left school at 14, winning his first tournament, aged 19.

Evie says: “Paul is never not spoken about at home - it’s not taboo at all. And, because of that, I don’t think of the situation as a sad thing. As I was a baby when he died, I have no memories of being with him. On special occasions, me and mum visit Paul’s grave. We put lots of flowers down this recent 20th anniversary. I feel close to him when I’m there, but I don’t necessarily feel emotional, I’m not in tears or anything.”

In her bedside drawer in the accommodation she shares with four other female students in Manchester, Evie keeps a copy of her mum’s 2007 book, Unbreakable, about her dream life with Paul, that became a nightmare when he was diagnosed with cancer and died. She says: “I find that emotional to read. It’s taken me two years and I haven’t yet been able to face the final chapter. Reading what Paul and Mum went through is horrific. I’ve needed to be on my own for that. “Sometimes, I don’t want to be sad. But having read the book, I feel I know the story more.”

Evie is very close to Paul’s parents, who remain devastated by their son’s death and have "photos of him everywhere,” according to their granddaughter. She says: “Sometimes friends and fans of Paul have sent me old pictures and clips of him. When I watch film of Paul, I long to hug him and talk to him. I wish we’d had time to bond, even for him to teach me to play snooker.”

One of Paul’s snooker star pals, Jimmy White, sent a gift to Evie every birthday until she turned 18. She says “I do watch snooker on TV, sometimes to feel close to Paul and to see if they say anything about him. But I’m not 100% on the rules and sometimes I turn to mum and say ‘What is going on?’”

Still undecided on a career path, if stepping in the spotlight feels comfortable and opens up any opportunities, because of her connection to Paul, she will find it exciting. She says: “ If opportunities arise that I like, I will take them. I’ll run with it and see how far I can go. It feels surreal to think that would happen.”

Clearly proud of her father’s success, she adds: “Paul was so famous and high up. “ wish he’d been able to keep on winning at snooker. He had so much to give, and I’m sure would have become more successful, had his life not been cut short. I feel annoyed for him.”

Fired up by the invitation to present the Paul Hunter trophy, Evie says: “I’d like to help keep his name around, his legacy alive. I want to make sure everyone knows who he was, because he was so good. I want to keep pushing him further, even though he can’t do it for himself. He did so well in his very short life. I hope I succeed and do well. I’d like to be as successful and show him that I’ve carried on with my life and done well. I always want to make him and my family proud.”