The Ultimate Pool Pairs Cup returns to screens on Monday evening with Keighley pair Chris Melling and Arfan Dad involved, as well as Bradford native Karl Boyes.

Once again, the world’s top 8-ball pool stars will partner up for Pairs Cup glory as 64 two-player teams aim to run the unique 21-week gauntlet.

Melling and Boyes are both part of eyebrow-raising pairs, with the former partnering up with Jordan Shepherd, and the latter playing alongside Jake McCartney.

Keighley News: Chris Melling and Jordan Shepherd are likely to be a potent combination.Chris Melling and Jordan Shepherd are likely to be a potent combination.

Dad is in the same group as Melling, which takes place on August 1, and he will take to the table with Craig Waddingham.

Boyes' group will be played out on September 12.

Keighley News: Karl Boyes in action last weekend in the Ultimate Pool Professional Series.Karl Boyes in action last weekend in the Ultimate Pool Professional Series.

Defending champions Shaun Chipperfield and Karl Sutton feature in the opening week, having won the inaugural edition of the Pairs Cup back in January when they ousted Declan Brennan and Ronan McCarthy via a dramatic 6-red shootout in the final.

The duo will begin their title defence against Zac Cooper and Lee Hammersley, Matt Barcock and Wayne Gardner and Andy Barker and Kev Sutton.

Several other big-name combinations will play again in the event, including the return of four-time world champion Gareth Potts and four-time world snooker champion Mark Selby, who won the 2006 WEPF World 8-Ball Pool Championship.

The pair won an opening phase group last year after coming through the first-ever three-way 6-red shootout before withdrawing from the last 16 due to personal reasons.

Selby isn’t the only well-known name from the snooker world to take part – former Shanghai Masters and Gydnia Open finalist Jamie Burnett will team up with fellow Scotsman Scott Gillespie.

Runners-up Brennan McCarthy are back, as too are Michael Hill and Phil Harrison and Shane Thompson and Tom Cousins.

You can watch action from the 2022 Ultimate Pool Pairs Cup every Monday night on FreeSports and ultimatepool.tv.