- Has complied 221 century breaks during his career.
- Became a professional snooker player in 1983.
- In 1996 was honored with an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
- Spent three successive seasons at number 2 in the world rankings.
- Is a strong follower of horse racing and is part of the presenting team for the BBC's horse racing coverage.
- Made his televised debut as a professional during the 1984 Classic in which he played Alex Higgins. He won the match 5-2.
- His 1991 triumphs in the World Championship and UK Championship make him one of only five players to win both of snooker's two most prominent ranking titles in the same year.
- At the age of 15 his talent was spotted by Phil Miller, who became his long-term manager in 1980.
- Is a supporter of Everton.
- Is a studio expert on snooker for BBC Sport.
- Achieved the highest break of 147 in 1992.
- Has come through the qualifying event for the World Championship a record 10 times.
- Became a professional snooker player in 1983 after winning a record - 14 tournaments in his last year as an amateur player.
- In 1989 he had lost 3-18 to Steve Davis, the heaviest final defeat in modern times.
- In 2010 announced his retirement from professional snooker.
- Until the age of 12 was a keen bowls player.
- Was one of the team captains on A Question of Sport, alongside footballer and pundit Ally McCoist from 1996 to 2002.
- Lost the 1984 Classic in the semi-finals to Steve Davis.
- Won a total of nine world ranking events, which is seventh on the all-time list behind Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Williams and Jimmy White.
- Lost in the final of the English Championship in 1980.
- In 2011 was announced he was to be the Honorary Patron of the British Crown Green Bowling Association.
- On 4 August 2009 at the qualifiers for the 2009 Shanghai Masters he lost 0-5 against Michael White.
- Boasts 14 consecutive seasons in the top 16 of the snooker world rankings, eleven of them in the top 6.
- Was Pontins Open Champion in 1982, Junior Pot Black champion in 1982 and 1983.
- Is known to be one of the best snooker players in the early 1990s.
- In 2008 launched John Parrott Cue Sports, an online retailer selling snooker and pool cues and some snooker collectibles.
- Won the World Snooker Championship in 1991, defeating Jimmy White in the final.
- Won the Pontins Junior Championship in 1981.
- Has two children with his wife, Karen: son named Josh, and daughter named Ellie, who is three years younger.
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