BBC host reveals cult snooker star is ‘riding high on a sea of love’ in funny moment during live World Championship draw
SNOOKER commentator Rob Walker left fans entertained with a hilarious quip during the World Snooker Championship draw.
Walker was helping BBC Radio 5 Live present the highly-anticipated draw when he produced a funny line after Dominic Dale was drawn from the pot.
Dale, 52, was drawn against 12th seed Kyren Wilson for his opener at the Crucible in one of many blockbuster ties that were pulled out of the hat.
Like Walker, Dale is a commentator for the BBC and Eurosport as well as managing an impressive qualification to this year’s tournament on Tuesday.
And Walker wasted no time teasing his colleague with a lighthearted joke when his tie was decided.
As the Welsh potter’s name was pulled from the hat, Walker bizarrely joked: “Oooh Dominic Dale, the man riding high on a sea of love with his new girlfriend!”
The seemingly strange introduction was actually a reference to Dale’s own admission that his new partner has helped him return to the top of his game.
Speaking after booking his spot at the Crucible with a 10-8 victory over He Guoqiang, he said: “I couldn’t dream at my age that I could play well enough to get to the Crucible.
“I am astonished. It has been so long since I played a match of that magnitude.
“My new girlfriend Anne has made a big difference to my life because her dad Jean, who lives in France, loves watching snooker on Eurosport.
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“Before she met me, Anne wouldn’t have known what a snooker ball was but now she knows all about it.
“Between them they have convinced me to practise harder and I have done that this season, and had more focus in matches.”
World Snooker Championship 2024 draw
Here is the full draw for the Snooker World Championship:
Luca Brecel v David Gilbert
Robert Milkins v Pang Junxu
Ali Carter v Stephen Maguire
Shaun Murphy v Lyu Haotian
Mark Selby v Joe O’Connor
Kyren Wilson v Dominic Dale
John Higgins v Jamie Jones
Mark Allen v Robbie Williams
Judd Trump v Hossein Vafaei
Tom Ford v Ricky Walden
Zhang Anda v Jak Jones
Mark Williams v Si Jiahui
Ding Junhui v Jack Lisowki
Gary Wilson v Stuart Bingham
Barry Hawkins v Ryan Day
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Jackson Page
Dale’s victory made him the oldest qualifier since Steve Davis some 14 years ago in 2010, while he hasn’t qualified for the tournament since 2014.
And his tie against Wilson will be over 26 YEARS after his first appearance back in 1997 when he was eliminated in the second round by John Higgins.
His best results at the Crucible were in 2000 and 2014 when he reached the last eight on both occasions – losing to Joe Swail and Barry Hawkins.
'Smoking too much weed and bulk-buying too much Smirnoff' - Inside Ronnie O'Sullivan's yo-yo health battle
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’S snooker career almost went up in smoke after buying “too much weed and Smirnoff.”
Ronnie has long linked his performances on the baize with the ups and down in his diet and exercise regime.
The Rocket he has suffered a lifetime of yo-yoing weight, addiction and mental health struggles, and an often unhealthy relationship with food and fitness.
O’Sullivan ballooned to 16st on vodka and takeaways as a troubled teen, while “puffing like a maniac”.
Then, after turning his life around, he even saw his form decline after doing to TOO MUCH exercise.
Now right back to his best, the seven-time world champion has opened up on his struggles.
Click here to read more about Ronnie’s incredible life…