'White' will tell the colourful story of the Londoner's career
There have been a plethora of sporting biopics in recent years, but few of them have focused on snooker.
That's all set to change, as the life story of Jimmy 'The Whirlwind' White, the legendary snooker player who enjoyed major success in the 1980s and 1990s, is set to be told on the big screen.
The screenplay of 'White' has been written by actor Steven Waddington ('Slow Horses', 'The Imitation Game') who will also direct it. Welsh actor Aneurin Barnard ('Dunkirk', 'Time') will star alongside veteran Ray Winstone.
Deadline report that the film will "condense the life and career of the colourful six-time Snooker World Championship finalist into “one crazy night” during which he 'is forced to confront his darker side'."
That darker side, of course, includes White's addiction problems; he has been open about his former addiction to crack cocaine, and has also battled testicular cancer. He is also famous for reaching the finals of the World Championship six times without winning. He continues to play professionally as well as commentate on Eurosport.
Waddington said: "I want to illuminate the darkness Jimmy dragged himself through as he lost much more than those famous six World Championship finals.
"Set during the 80s and 90s when these tournaments were played live to millions at home, this shy, complicated genius tore himself apart behind the scenes – and it’s this vicious, self-inflicted power struggle I want to capture, as his greatest match became Jimmy White Vs his own demons."