Hunter was born on 14 October 1978 in Leeds, England and was educated at St Andrews Primary School and Cardinal Heenan High School. Aged nine, he was awarded an award for being the best best junior snooker player of the year. He often travelled to Bradford to practise alongside professional player Joe Johnson. He won many junior tournaments and at the age of 14 won the English Doubles Championship with Richard Brooke. With the help of Jimmy Michie and Johnson, Hunter made his debut among the professionals in July 1995 at the age of 16.