A gifted snooker player from Burnley with his eyes on the biggest prizes in the sport is hoping to inspire others, just as his older brother did before his heartbreaking death at 15.

Lewis Ullah, now on the cusp of a professional career, took time out from his cue work to speak to the Burnley Express about a journey which began unfeasibly young, and how his late brother Jordan and snooker legend Steve Davis ignited his love for the game.

We met up with Lewis at CueMasterz snooker club in Bank Parade, where the 23-year-old opened up on his two decades-long love for the game and his hopes for the future.

“It started really at two-years-old when I watched snooker at Pontins where a lot of the professionals and amateurs would battle it out,” Lewis said.

Aspiring professional snooker player Lewis Ullah plays a frame at Cuemasterz in Burnley. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard

placeholder image — Aspiring professional snooker player Lewis Ullah plays a frame at Cuemasterz in Burnley. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard

“My brother Jordan played against Judd Trump at Pontins when he was about 13. I was only a toddler but it made me want to play the sport. When Jordan passed away aged only 15 it took me a year out of the game as I didn’t really want to play the sport.

“It was very difficult coming back, knowing he should have been a professional.”

But come back he did, much to the delight of dad Matthew who follows Lewis’ bid to turn professional with a renewed sense of hope.

Matthew said: “We are so proud of Lewis. He is following in his brother’s footsteps. Lewis is now doing all the things Jordan didn’t get the chance to do, and it would be a dream come true for us all if he could turn professional.

Reporter Dominic Collis with aspiring professional snooker player Lewis Ullah at Cuemasterz in Burnley. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard

“We just need someone who would be willing to sponsor him. It would make all the difference.”

Hard work paying off for England number one snooker star Lewis Ullah

It has certainly been a long time coming for Lewis, who attended Hameldon Community College and Burnley College, and balanced his studies and snooker – with a little help from a certain player by the name of Steve Davis.

Davis, who won six world titles and 15 Triple Crown titles, was the perfect person to reignite Lewis’ love for snooker following his brother’s death.

Lewis said: “At six-years-old I started to pick up a cue, and made a 27 break on a full-size table. After that I went round the area from age six to 10 with Steve Davis as part of the Paul Hunter Foundation, which tried to get children off the streets and away from anti-social behaviour. We also raised funds for it in memory of Jordan.”

Indeed, life has come full circle for Lewis who now works for Silver Birch School in Burnley, hoping to inspire the next generation of children.

Lewis’ next big break came in 2021 when he became the England Under-21 number one ranked player for the season.

In 2023 he won the EPSB Under-21 Premier Development Tour standings, and since then has regularly represented England internationally, captaining England 'B' to Home International victories and competing in the European Under-21 Championships.

In September 2024, Lewis received major media coverage when he was selected as a last-minute ‘top-up’ player at the British Open, replacing no less than legend Ronnie O'Sullivan who withdrew from the tournament shortly before his match.

Just last month, Lewis captained England mens A team and won the final with a 101 break.