Barry West was born on 24 October 1958, in Wickersley, England, and became a professional snooker player in 1985.

[1] At the 1985 UK Championship, West lost 1–9 in the quarter-finals to Steve Davis;[3] the 1988 International Open finished in a 2–5 loss to Jimmy White, and the UK Championship of that year ended for West with a 5–9 defeat to Terry Griffiths.

[1] West finished the 1996/1997 season ranked 179th, and was relegated from the tour as only the top 64 players automatically retained their professional status.

[4] West made a return to competition in qualifying for the 2010 World Snooker Championship, but was defeated in his first match, 1–5 by Del Smith.

[5] He entered the 2012 World Seniors Championship, winning three matches to qualify for the last 16, where he lost 2–0 to Dene O'Kane.