David Gilbert (snooker player)

{{about|the snooker player born 1981|the snooker player born 1961|Dave Gilbert (snooker player, born 1961)}}

{{Infobox snooker player

| name = David Gilbert

| image = David Gilbert PHC 2016-3.jpg

| caption = Gilbert at the 2016 Paul Hunter Classic

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1981|06|12}}

| birth_place = Donisthorpe, Leicestershire,{{cite web|url=https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/sport/other-sport/dave-gilbert-board-local-snooker-6792772 |title=Dave Gilbert on board with local snooker club where he started playing |website=Staffordshire Live |date=12 March 2022 |last=Crawford |first=Colston |access-date=4 May 2024}} England

| death_date =

| death_place =

| Sport country = {{ENG}}

| Professional = 2002–2004, 2005–present

| High ranking = 10 (November 2019)

| Official maximums = 3

| Ranking wins = 1

| World champ =

}}

David Gilbert (born 12 June 1981){{cite web|url=https://www.wst.tv/players/9b2532c1-a189-4573-8320-f254d2f9bfde |title=David "The Angry Farmer" Gilbert |work=World Snooker Tour |access-date=3 May 2024}} is an English professional snooker player who has won one ranking title. Never having previously been beyond the last 16 of a ranking event, Gilbert reached the final of the 2015 International Championship where he lost 5–10 to John Higgins. On 22 January 2019 he hit the milestone of the 147th maximum break, in the Championship League.{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/23/david-gilbert-hits-147th-maximum-break-snooker-history-championship-league-8378417/|title=David Gilbert hits the 147th maximum break in snooker history at Championship League|date=23 January 2019|last=Haigh|first=Phil|website=Metro.co.uk}} On 4 May 2019 he narrowly missed out on his first World Snooker Championship final, losing out 16–17 to John Higgins in the semi-final. On 13 August 2021 Gilbert won his first world ranking title, the 2021 Championship League, beating Mark Allen 3–1 in the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/championship-league/2020-2021/championship-league-snooker-2021-david-gilbert-ends-22-year-ranking-title-drought-with-victory-over-_sto8490089/story.shtml|title=Championship League Snooker 2021: David Gilbert ends 22-year ranking title drought with victory over Mark Allen|date=13 August 2021|work=Eurosport|access-date= 18 August 2021 |last=Kane |first=Desmond |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813215912/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/championship-league/2020-2021/championship-league-snooker-2021-david-gilbert-ends-22-year-ranking-title-drought-with-victory-over-_sto8490089/story.shtml |archive-date=13 August 2021 |url-status=live}}

Gilbert is a former World Snooker Young Player of Distinction.

Snooker career

=Early career=

Gilbert began his professional career by playing UK Tour in 1999, at the time the second-level professional tour. In the 2007–08 season Gilbert reached the last 32 of three tournaments without progressing further. Most notably he qualified for the 2007 World Championship where he led Stephen Hendry 5–1, before succumbing to a 7–10 defeat. To qualify he beat Alfie Burden, Gerard Greene and Mark King.

The other two were the 2007 Welsh Open – where he won his two qualifying matches then beat James Wattana in the last 48 in Newport, before losing 0–5 to Steve Davis{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/worldchampionships2007/profiles/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=snooker/07/04/11/manual_164242.html |title=World Snooker - David Gilbert |access-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605004711/http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/worldchampionships2007/profiles/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=snooker%2F07%2F04%2F11%2Fmanual_164242.html |archive-date=5 June 2011 |website=Sporting Life}} – and the 2008 Grand Prix, where he again faced Hendry and again challenged him before succumbing 4–5.

Gilbert went one better at the 2009 Welsh Open, beating Mark Williams and Joe Perry before losing to Mark Selby in the last 16.

=2011–12 season=

File:David Gilbert PHC 2011.png

The 2011–12 season was somewhat of a breakthrough year for Gilbert as he reached the last 16 in two ranking event tournaments for the first time. He went from qualifying round one to the venue stage of the first tournament of the year, the Australian Goldfields Open, beating Passakorn Suwannawat 5–4, Alfie Burden 5–2, Dave Harold 5–4 and Mark King 5–0 to set up a wildcard round match at the venue against James Mifsud, which was later changed to a last 32 encounter due to the withdrawal of Graeme Dott.{{cite web|title=Australian Goldfields Open (2011)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=127|website=snooker.org|access-date=12 May 2012}} Gilbert won 5–1 to meet Mark Williams in the last 16, and was beaten 2–5.{{cite web | url=https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=-1&player=118 | title=David Gilbert tournament results | website=snooker.org | access-date=4 May 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=4 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504094037/https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=-1&player=118}}

Gilbert struggled to replicate the form he showed in Australia until the final and biggest tournament on the snooker calendar, the World Championship. He qualified with victories over Stuart Carrington, Jimmy Robertson (with a final frame decider), Mike Dunn and Fergal O'Brien and drew 11th seed Martin Gould in the first round. There he won his first-ever match at the Crucible 10–8, although he had to withstand two comebacks after leading 6–2 and 9–5.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17806403 | title=World Snooker Championship 2012: Mark Allen out in round one | work=BBC Sport | date=22 April 2012 | access-date=17 April 2013}} In the second round he was defeated by 2010 World Champion, Neil Robertson 9–13. Gilbert had led 3–1 after the first four frames, but then trailed 3–5 and 6–10 after the first and second session respectively.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17858435 | title=World Snooker Championship 2012: Robertson beats Gilbert | work=BBC Sport | date=27 April 2012 | access-date=12 May 2012}} He finished the season ranked world number 57, inside the top 64 who automatically retained their places for the 2012–13 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/1d/b0/0,,13165~176157,00.pdf |title=Official World Ranking List for the 2012/2013 Season |date=8 May 2012 |access-date=12 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522154016/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/1d/b0/0,,13165~176157,00.pdf |archive-date=22 May 2012 |work=World Snooker }}

=2012–13 season=

File:David Gilbert PHC 2012-1.jpg

Following on from Gilbert's successful 2011–12 season, he struggled for form this season as he could only qualify for the World Open in Haikou, China. There, he beat Lu Ning 5–0 in the wildcard round, before losing 4–5 to Matthew Stevens in the first round. Gilbert played in eight of the ten minor-ranking Players Tour Championship events, but could only win three matches all year, to finish a lowly 86th on the Order of Merit.{{cite web | url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10 | title=Order of Merit 2012/2013 | website=snooker.org | access-date=17 April 2013 | archive-date=28 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428072211/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10 | url-status=dead }} He couldn't repeat last season's run to The Crucible as he was defeated 6–10 by Marco Fu in the final round of World Championship Qualifying.{{cite web | url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=225 | title=Betfair World Championship Qualifiers (2013) | website=snooker.org | access-date=17 April 2013}} He ended the campaign ranked world number 41.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/49/bc/0,,13165~179273,00.pdf |title=Official World Snooker Ranking List for the 2013/2014 Season |work=World Snooker|date=8 May 2013|access-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611202605/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/49/bc/0%2C%2C13165~179273%2C00.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2013 }}

=2013–14 season=

Gilbert's 2013–14 season was his most consistent year to date as he qualified for all but two of the ranking events. In his opening match, he defeated Jak Jones 5–3 to qualify for the 2013 Wuxi Classic in China where he beat Andrew Pagett 5–2 in the first round. He went on to beat Alan McManus 5–2 to reach the last 16 of a ranking event for the fourth time but lost 2–5 to Joe Perry. A month later at the minor-ranking Rotterdam Open, he defeated Ryan Day 4–3 in the last 16 and Stephen Maguire 4–1 in the quarter-finals. Gilbert led Mark Selby 2–0 in his semi-final match, but was beaten 4–3.{{cite web | url=http://au.eurosport.com/snooker/selby-to-meet-williams-in-rotterdam-open-final_sto3852864/story.shtml | title=Selby to meet Williams in Rotterdam Open final | date=21 July 2013 | work=Eurosport| access-date=17 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818044227/http://au.eurosport.com/snooker/selby-to-meet-williams-in-rotterdam-open-final_sto3852864/story.shtml |archive-date=18 August 2013}} The tournament was one of the eight European Tour events on the calendar and Gilbert performed well in the others with two further last 16 runs to finish 16th on the Order of Merit and qualify for the Finals for the first time in his career.{{cite web|title=European Order of Merit 2013/2014|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2013|website=snooker.org|access-date=17 April 2014}} There, Gilbert gained revenge over Selby by whitewashing him 4–0, but lost 1–4 to Perry in the second round.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3734075,00.html |title=Selby White-Washed By Gilbert |work=World Snooker |date=26 March 2014 |access-date=17 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419013925/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~3734075%2C00.html |archive-date=19 April 2014 }}{{cite web | url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/snooker-osullivan-dealt-first-defeat-year-020859179--spt.html | title=Snooker – O'Sullivan dealt first defeat of year | work=Eurosport | access-date=17 April 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140417224730/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/snooker-osullivan-dealt-first-defeat-year-020859179--spt.html | archive-date=17 April 2014 | df=dmy-all }}

Gilbert played in his third World Championship this year after seeing off Jimmy Robertson in the final round of qualifying.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3769210,00.html | title=Dott / Williams / Stevens Miss Crucible | work=World Snooker | date=15 April 2014 | access-date=17 April 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418210727/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~3769210%2C00.html | archive-date=18 April 2014 | df=dmy-all }} He faced the previous year's runner-up Barry Hawkins in the first round but from 4–2 up he lost eight frames in a row to succumb to a 10–4 defeat in a performance he branded as useless.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/27128938 | title=World Championship 2014: David Gilbert angered by display | work=BBC Sport | date=23 April 2014 |access-date=28 April 2014}}

=2014–15 season=

File:David Gilbert at Snooker German Masters (DerHexer) 2015-02-04 05.jpg]]

Gilbert lost 3–5 to Stephen Maguire in the first round of the 2014 Wuxi Classic and then failed to qualify for the next two ranking events. At the International Championship he defeated Zak Surety 6–4, before withstanding three century breaks from Marco Fu to take the match into a deciding frame which Gilbert lost.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/three-ton-rocket-crushes-mcgill/ | title=Three-Ton Rocket Crushes McGill | date=28 October 2014 | work=World Snooker | access-date=19 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143643/http://www.worldsnooker.com/three-ton-rocket-crushes-mcgill/ |archive-date=27 April 2015}} He won his first matches at the UK Championship 6–4 against Elliot Slessor and 6–2 against Mark Joyce, but lost in the third round 2–6 to David Morris. Gilbert was eliminated at the first round stage of the German Masters, Welsh Open and Indian Open. He faced the winner of the previous ranking event Joe Perry at the China Open and won the last three frames to defeat him 5–3 and then saw off Zhou Yuelong 5–2 to reach the last 16 of a ranking event for the sixth time.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-wins-despite-neck-pain/ | title=Selby Wins Despite Neck Pain | date=31 March 2015 | work=World Snooker | access-date=20 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427113907/http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-wins-despite-neck-pain/ |archive-date=27 April 2015}} Gilbert's tournament ended with a 2–5 loss to reigning world champion Mark Selby.{{cite web | url=http://www.tamworthherald.co.uk/World-champion-Selby-ends-Gilbert-s-run-China/story-26271976-detail/story.html | title=World champion Selby ends Gilbert's run at China Open | work=Tamworth Herald | date=2 April 2015 | access-date=19 April 2015 | publisher=Trinity Mirror Midlands | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404055244/http://www.tamworthherald.co.uk/World-champion-Selby-ends-Gilbert-s-run-China/story-26271976-detail/story.html | archive-date=4 April 2015 | url-status=dead }} Gilbert was ranked 35th after the World Championship, the highest he had finished a season at that time.{{cite web|title=World Rankings After 2015 Betfred World Championship|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/rankings/|work=World Snooker |access-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507001308/http://www.worldsnooker.com/rankings/|archive-date=7 May 2015 }}

=2015–16 season=

Gilbert was eliminated in the qualifying rounds of the opening two ranking events of the season. At the minor-ranking Ruhr Open he won four matches to play in the quarter-finals where he beat Barry Hawkins 4–2, before losing 3–4 to Tian Pengfei in the semi-finals.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/rory-rules-in-ruhr/ | title=Rory Rules in Ruhr | work=World Snooker | date=11 October 2015 | access-date=8 November 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114231500/http://www.worldsnooker.com/rory-rules-in-ruhr/ | archive-date=14 November 2015 | df=dmy-all }} Gilbert's form continued later in to the month at the International Championship as he knocked out Xiao Guodong 6–5, Oliver Lines 6–4 and Ryan Day 6–4 to play in the first ranking event quarter-final of his career. He came back from 2–4 down against Marco Fu to edge it 6–5 which included a 130 break and then saw off Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 9–5.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/un-nooh-to-meet-gilbert-in-semis/ | title=Un-Nooh to Meet Gilbert in Semis | date=29 October 2015 | work=World Snooker | access-date=8 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209213116/http://www.worldsnooker.com/un-nooh-to-meet-gilbert-in-semis/ |archive-date=9 February 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/david-gilbert-makes-international-championship-final_sto4972754/story.shtml | title=David Gilbert makes International Championship final | date=31 October 2015 | work=Eurosport | access-date=8 November 2015 |last=Foley |first=Marcus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061213/http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/david-gilbert-makes-international-championship-final_sto4972754/story.shtml |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}} In the final, Gilbert was level with John Higgins at 4–4, but lost 5–9. The £65,000 runner-up's cheque was the biggest of his career and he moved up to 21st in the world rankings afterwards.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/higgins-equals-davis-tally/ | title=Higgins Equals Davis Tally | date=1 November 2015 | work=World Snooker| access-date=8 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106010423/http://www.worldsnooker.com/higgins-equals-davis-tally/ |archive-date=6 November 2015}} Gilbert stated that his newfound form was down to a new cue he acquired from fellow professional Matthew Selt six weeks previously. Gilbert was knocked out in the third round of both the UK Championship and China Open 3–6 to Marco Fu and 3–5 to Higgins respectively. Gilbert won three matches to qualify for the World Championship and faced Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round. He was defeated 7–10, but said it was the best he had ever played without winning a match.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/osullivan-comes-through-gilbert-test/ | title=O'Sullivan Comes Through Gilbert Test | date=18 April 2016 | work=World Snooker | access-date=6 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420222437/http://www.worldsnooker.com/osullivan-comes-through-gilbert-test/ |archive-date=20 April 2016}} He moved up to world number 22 at the end of the season.{{cite web | url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?cutoff=1&season=2016&template=25 | title=Historic Seedings After 2016 World Championship | website=snooker.org | access-date=24 September 2016}}

=2016–17 season=

File:David Gilbert PHC 2016-1.jpg

Gilbert saw off Rod Lawler 5–0, Zhou Yuelong 5–2 and Zhang Anda 5–0 to play in the quarter-finals of the World Open, where he was beaten 5–2 by Neil Robertson. He had a pair of 6–2 victories over Adam Duffy and Mark Joyce at the UK Championship and made two centuries from 0–3 down against Ali Carter to edge through 6–5.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/38139734|title=UK Championship 2016: David Gilbert says luck helped him beat Ali Carter|work=BBC Sport|date=28 November 2016|access-date=13 April 2017}} Gilbert lost 2–6 to Jamie Jones in the fourth round. He won two matches to qualify for the German Masters and eliminated Marco Fu 5–3 in the first round, but was then defeated 5–4 by Stuart Bingham despite holding a 4–2 advantage at one stage.{{cite web|url=http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2067787/marco-fu-makes-early-german-masters-exit-after-going-down-david|title=Marco Fu makes early German Masters exit after going down to David Gilbert in opening round|work=South China Morning Post|last=Ryding |first=Paul |date=3 February 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/german-masters/2016-2017/stuart-bingham-stages-comeback-to-beat-david-gilbert-mark-selby-crashes-out_sto6047026/story.shtml|title=Stuart Bingham stages comeback to beat David Gilbert, Mark Selby crashes out|work=Eurosport|access-date=13 April 2017 |last=Sharland |first=Pete |date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205170142/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/german-masters/2016-2017/stuart-bingham-stages-comeback-to-beat-david-gilbert-mark-selby-crashes-out_sto6047026/story.shtml |archive-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=live}} After being 6–1 up on Fergal O'Brien in the final qualifying round for the World Championship the scores were locked at 9–9. The decider took 123 minutes and 41 seconds, breaking the record for the longest frame in snooker history, with O'Brien taking it on the final brown.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/obrien-wins-record-two-hour-frame/|title=O'Brien Wins Record Two-Hour Frame|work=World Snooker|access-date=13 April 2017 |date=13 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412232137/http://www.worldsnooker.com/obrien-wins-record-two-hour-frame/ |archive-date=12 April 2017}} He finished the season 19th in the world rankings, his highest to that date.{{cite web|title=Rankings 2016/2017|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=2016&template=31|website=snooker.org|access-date=15 May 2017}}

=2021–22 season=

David Gilbert won his first ranking title at the 2021 Championship League. He defeated Mark Allen in the final 3–1. He made strong breaks of 59 in the second frame and 57 in the fourth.{{Cite web|date=13 August 2021|title=Gilbert Secures First Ranking Title|url=https://wst.tv/gilbert-secures-first-ranking-title/|url-status=dead|website=World Snooker Tour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813213302/https://wst.tv/gilbert-secures-first-ranking-title/ |archive-date=13 August 2021 }} Gilbert's strong start to the season continued at the following tournament, the 2021 British Open, where he reached the quarter-finals, losing 3–4 to eventual runner-up Gary Wilson, despite leading 2–0 and 3–2.{{Cite web|date=21 August 2021|title=Slessor and Wilson Set Up Tyneside Derby|url=https://wst.tv/slessor-and-wilson-set-up-tyneside-derby/|url-status=dead|website=World Snooker Tour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822023202/https://wst.tv/slessor-and-wilson-set-up-tyneside-derby/ |archive-date=22 August 2021 }} Gilbert also performed well in the qualifying held across August and September for the 2021 Northern Ireland, English, and Scottish opens, defeating Ian Burns, David Grace, and Simon Lichtenberg, 4–0, 4–2, and 4–1 respectively.{{Cite web|date=27 August 2021|title=Gilbert Too Hot For Burns|url=https://wst.tv/gilbert-too-hot-for-burns/|url-status=dead|website=World Snooker Tour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827215743/https://wst.tv/gilbert-too-hot-for-burns/ |archive-date=27 August 2021 }}{{Cite web|date=20 September 2021|title=Un-Nooh Blitz Secures English Open Spot|url=https://wst.tv/un-nooh-blitz-secures-english-open-spot/|url-status=dead|website=World Snooker Tour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921164434/https://wst.tv/un-nooh-blitz-secures-english-open-spot/ |archive-date=21 September 2021 }}{{Cite web|date=24 September 2021|title=Gilbert Wins With Two Tons|url=https://wst.tv/gilbert-fires-two-tons/|url-status=dead|website=World Snooker Tour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924233040/https://wst.tv/gilbert-fires-two-tons/ |archive-date=24 September 2021 }} At the 2022 World Championship, Gilbert lost in the first round to Ronnie O'Sullivan 5{{nbnd}}10.{{cite web |last1=Hafez |first1=Shamoon |title=World Snooker Championship 2022: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats David Gilbert |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/61134890 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 February 2025}}

=2022{{nbnd}}23 season=

At the 2023 World Championship, Gilbert was defeated 4{{nbnd}}10 by Stuart Bingham in the first round.{{cite web |title=Stuart Bingham into the last 16 at the World Championship |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23459024.stuart-bingham-last-16-world-championship/ |website=Southend Echo |access-date=24 February 2025}}

=2023{{nbnd}}24 season=

At the 2024 World Championship, Gilbert defeated defending champion Luca Brecel in the first round 10{{nbnd}}9.{{cite web |last1=Livie |first1=Alex |title=World Snooker Championship 2024: Reigning champion Luca Brecel crashes out after Dave Gilbert stages stirring recovery |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/world-championship/2023-2024/world-snooker-championship-2024-david-gilbert-wins-final-four-frames-to-send-champion-luca-brecel-cr_sto10109100/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=25 February 2025}} After winning two more matches, Gilbert reached the semi-final where he was beaten 11{{nbnd}}17 by Kyren Wilson.{{cite web |last1=Livie |first1=Alex |title=World Snooker Championship: Kyren Wilson holds off David Gilbert to reach second career Crucible final |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/world-championship/2023-2024/world-snooker-championship-kyren-wilson-holds-off-david-gilbert-to-reach-second-career-crucible-final_sto20003984/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=25 February 2025}}

Personal life

Gilbert is married, and he and his wife Abigail have a daughter. He often helps out on his father's potato and general farm in Staffordshire and had planned to do so during the 2007 World Championships, had he not qualified for the event.{{cite web | url=http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/Player.aspx?pl=29&t=12972 | title=David Gilbert | work=World Snooker Live Scoring | access-date=12 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424231031/http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/Player.aspx?pl=29&t=12972 | archive-date=24 April 2012 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}

Performance and rankings timeline

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"

! Tournament

! colspan="2"|2019/
20

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Ranking{{cite web|title=Ranking History|url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/history.asp|website=snooker.org|access-date=6 February 2011}}From the 2010/2011 season it shows the ranking at the beginning of the season

|align="center"|He was not an amateur

|align="center"|

|align="center"|New players don't have a ranking

|align="center"|84

|align="center"|

|align="center"|66

|align="center"|45

|align="center"|43

|align="center"|51

|align="center"|55

|align="center"|76

|align="center"|57

|align="center"|41

|align="center"|37

|align="center"|35

|align="center"|22

|align="center"|18

|align="center"|27

|align="center" colspan="2"|12

|align="center"|11

|align="center"|23

|align="center"|19

|align="center"|20

|align="center"|22

|align="center"|23

colspan="30"|Ranking tournaments

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Championship League

|align="center" colspan="8" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" colspan="14" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking Event

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|W

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Saudi Arabia Masters

|align="center" colspan="26" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|5R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Wuhan Open

|align="center" colspan="25" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|English Open

|align="center" colspan="17" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:thistle;"|F

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|British Open

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" colspan="17" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Xi'an Grand Prix

|align="center" colspan="26" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Northern Ireland Open

|align="center" colspan="17" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|International Championship

|align="center" colspan="13" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:thistle;"|F

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|UK Championship

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Shoot Out

|align="center" colspan="11" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking Event

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Scottish OpenThe event was called the Players Championship (2003/2004)

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="8" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|MR

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:yellow;"|SF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|German MastersThe event was called the German Open (1997/1998)

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" colspan="9" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:thistle;"|F

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|World Grand Prix

|align="center" colspan="15" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Players ChampionshipThe event was called the Players Tour Championship Grand Final (2010/2011–2015/2016)

|align="center" colspan="11" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Welsh Open

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|World OpenThe event was called the Grand Prix (1997/1998–2000/2001 and 2004/2005–2009/2010) and the LG Cup (2001/2002–2003/2004)

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:thistle;"|F

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Tour Championship

|align="center" colspan="19" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|World Championship

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|SF

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|SF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|

colspan="30"|Non-ranking tournaments

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Shanghai Masters

|align="center" colspan="8" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" colspan="11" style="color:#555555;"|Ranking Event

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Champion of Champions

|align="center" colspan="14" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|The Masters

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:yellow;"|SF

|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|SF

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Championship League

|align="center" colspan="8" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|

colspan="30"|Former ranking tournaments

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Irish Masters

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking Event

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NH

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Northern Ireland Trophy

|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Bahrain Championship

|align="center" colspan="9" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Wuxi ClassicThe event was called the Jiangsu Classic (2008/2009–2009/2010)

|align="center" colspan="9" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" colspan="4" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking Event

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Australian Goldfields Open

|align="center" colspan="12" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Shanghai Masters

|align="center" colspan="8" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Paul Hunter ClassicThe event was called the Grand Prix Fürth (2004/2005) and the Fürth German Open (2005/2006–2006/2007)

|align="center" colspan="5" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#555555;"|Pro-am Event

|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#555555;"|Minor-Ranking Event

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Indian Open

|align="center" colspan="14" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NH

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|China OpenThe event was called the China International (1997/1998–1998/1999)

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Riga MastersThe event was called the Riga Open (2014/2015–2015/2016)

|align="center" colspan="15" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Minor-Rank

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|China Championship

|align="center" colspan="17" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|WST Pro Series

|align="center" colspan="22" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Turkish Masters

|align="center" colspan="23" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Gibraltar Open

|align="center" colspan="16" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|MR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|WD

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|WST Classic

|align="center" colspan="24" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|European MastersThe event was called the Irish Open (1998/1999), the European Open (2001/2002–2003/2004) and the Malta Cup (2004/2005–2007/2008)

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NH

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" colspan="8" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

colspan="30"|Former non-ranking tournaments

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Shoot Out

|align="center" colspan="11" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Ranking Event

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Paul Hunter Classic

|align="center" colspan="5" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#555555;"|Pro-am Event

|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#555555;"|Minor-Ranking Event

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Ranking Event

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" colspan="30" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|{{nowrap|Six-red World ChampionshipThe event was called the Six-red Snooker International (2008/2009) and the Six-red World Grand Prix (2009/2010)}}

|align="center" colspan="9" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NH

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

class="wikitable" style="font-size:78%;"

bgcolor="#efefef"

! colspan="6"|Performance Table Legend

align="center" style="color:#555555;" width="30"|LQ

| lost in the qualifying draw

| align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|#R

| lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin)

| align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

| lost in the quarter-finals

align="center" style="background:yellow;"|SF

| lost in the semi-finals

| align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|F

| lost in the final

| align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|W

| won the tournament

align="center" style="color:#555555;" width="30"|DNQ

| did not qualify for the tournament

| align="center" style="color:#555555;" width="30"|A

| did not participate in the tournament

| align="center" style="color:#555555;" width="30"|WD

| withdrew from the tournament

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"\|NH / Not Held	means an event was not held.
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"\|NR / Non-Ranking Event	means an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"\|R / Ranking Event	means an event is/was a ranking event.
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"\|MR / Minor-Ranking Event	means an event is/was a minor-ranking event.
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"\|PA / Pro-am Event	means an event is/was a pro-am event.