iPot meets...Dominic Dale
One of the most colourful characters on the circuit. His eccentric ways have earned him the nickname of "The Spaceman" among his fellow players and he occasionally produces snooker that is out of this world.
Having recently won the Shanghai Masters, he is back to his best after a 10-year title drought.
What's he like away from the table though? i-Pot talks music and finds out whether his choice of music is up there with his dress sense!
How do you relax between matches?
"I'm quite relaxed as a person - I don't have a set routine of things to relax Dominic in between matches".
Does Music help to relax you?
"I like listening to music for pleasure but wouldn't necessarily say it relaxes me - I am passionate about singing, and always join in - hardly relaxing"!
What about inspire you before matches?
"Yes"
What is your song before matches?
"I have lots of inspiring and uplifiting songs, I'm a big fan of opera and that would do the trick before a big game".
Do you own an iPod / MP3 player?
"How embarrassing! I actually don't own one. I know everyone seems to have one these days but I prefer to listen on a stereo system".
Which one?
"I just told you, I don't own one"!
OK, but if you were going to get one, which one would you get?
"A pink one, like my shirt I wore in the final of the Shanghai Masters".
What was the last song you listened to on it?
"How many more times, I dont own one"!
I know, but our readers want to know - what would have been the last song if you owned your pink one?
"Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison".
How many songs on there?
"I don't own one"!!!
Do you listen when practising?
"No - I haven't done that".
Who is your favourite bands / singers?
"Roy Orbison, Franco Correlli, Ferruccio Tagliavini, KD Lang, The Cranberries and Edith Klug".
Ever seen any of them live?
"Yes, I love seeing live perfromances. I saw Andrea Bocelli - he is awesome"!
Where?
"The Vienna State Opera".
When was that?
"In 2000".
Best Concert?
"It would have to be that one - Bocelli was amazing".
Ever been to Glastonbury / Festivals?
"Ummmm, NO".
Fancy it?
"Absolutely, emphatically NOT"!
Why Not?
"If I wanted to roll around in mud, I would take up mud-wrestling and get paid for it"!
If you had to sum up your career in a song which song would it be?
"The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles".
Cheers Dominic, a great sport with a varied taste in music - we hope it's not another ten years before you win your next ranking tournament.
