Six-time world champion Steve Davis has retired from snooker with immediate effect.

The 58-year-old, who dominated the sport throughout much of the 1980s, has taken the decision after he failed to qualify for this year's World Championships following a defeat to Fergal O'Brien.

"The Fergal O'Brien match was my last and I told [World Snooker chairman] Barry Hearn it was time to call it a day. My father passed away recently and it was natural time to stop playing," he told BBC Sport.

"I should have done it ages ago, I played a bit for my father. I am delighted to have such a great time in the game, I was lucky to have a hobby as my profession.

"It has been a fantastic. The game will move on to other places but I feel like the grandfather of the sport."

In total, Davis won 28 ranking titles, which is second only to Stephen Hendry.