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Barry Hearn looks set to be named chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association after Sir Rodney Walker was voted out.

Walker put himself up for re-election a year earlier than was necessary – which amounted to a vote of confidence in his leadership – but lost out at yesterday’s (December 1) annual general meeting.

Snooker legend Steve Davis is also poised to be brought on to the board in a bid to revive the troubled game.

Hearn, who already runs snooker’s Premier and Champions Leagues, and has transformed darts in recent years, said: “There’s still the question of my appointment to the board being legally resolved but this is the beginning of a new era in snooker.

“There’ll be more formats,” Hearn told BBC Sport. “I’ll try to be innovative and creative. The patient is not dead – it just needs waking up.

“We need a fresh approach. How can we make the sport more attractive to young people and sponsors?

“We need quick results and quicker entertainment. We need a pro-tour where you’d have weekend events with a prize pot of £25,000.

“I’ve got an awful lot of research to do but I know the players want more opportunities to play.

“We have a fantastic relationship with the BBC and I want to continue that, but the game needs other television outlets. We have to create more events and we have to keep the players busier.

“Snooker is a good game but we need to provide value for money and have more fun.

“I’m constantly thinking of how we can liven up this game but it must have entertainment value.”