Mark Williams did not look impressed and neither had been BBC viewers.
Mark Williams did not look impressed with Rob Walker throughout his introduction (Picture: BBC SPORT)
World Snooker Championship announcer Rob Walker was branded ’embarrassing’ by indignant BBC viewers after going off-script whereas introducing Mark Williams on Sunday evening. The three-time champion sailed previous Polish debutant Antoni Kowalski in his opening match to arrange a gathering with Barry Hawkins within the second spherical. There was a transparent gulf in high quality between the 2 gamers as Williams discovered some classic type to safe a 10-6 victory.
The dominant nature of his efficiency ought to have been the primary speaking level, however some followers had been extra centered on Walker’s uncommon introduction. Because the gamers entered the stage for Sunday’s night session, Williams was on the receiving finish of some playful jibes from the emcee and never all people was impressed.
Walker mentioned: “29 years in the past on this very day, it was his flip to be the fresh-faced 22-year-old debutant with boyish attractiveness, a full head of hair and excellent imaginative and prescient. How little has modified within the intervening years!
“He hasn’t been to a barber in many years, however lest we neglect, he stays considered one of our all-time greats. Finalist at 49, thrice a champion du monde, it would not be a Worlds with out Willo. Right here he comes. The irrepressible, irreplaceable Mark J. Williams.”
Williams appeared lower than impressed with Walker’s introduction and was caught on the BBC cameras firing again below his breath, mouthing: “Cheeky b******.”
Many followers thought Walker had overstepped the mark, with the emcee being accused of missing professionalism on social media.
“Rob is embarrassing! Simply announce the gamers and what they’ve gained and allow them to stroll in,” wrote @lovingtheSPURS. “Be skilled like John McDonald was at darts.”
@RobWhiteUK mentioned: “Name me a bore, however that’s unprofessional,” whereas @mindmodeller added: “Rob Walker the MC that makes all of it about him.”
Rob Walker had a little bit enjoyable together with his newest Mark Williams intro ??????#WorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/pMBOwQl1jZ
— WST (@WeAreWST) April 19, 2026
@iconredesign wrote: “Certainly it is a truthful aggressive subject when the MC is actively making an attempt to throw you off your psychological preparation as you’re making an attempt to stroll out to play on the World Championship.”
@bobbyunswick, in the meantime, mentioned: “My brother simply remarked that the enjoyable is slowly turning into physique shaming. I am undecided I agree with that however it’s definitely excessive and never wanted in knowledgeable setting.”
Williams wasn’t the one participant left in a clumsy spot by Walker over the weekend. Matthew Stevens appeared visibly unimpressed after he was compelled to subject a correction throughout his personal introduction earlier than dealing with Hawkins.
Walker introduced: “3 times a semi-finalist. He loves the lengthy body format. A UK Champion, a Masters winner and nonetheless a category act on and off the bottom, the Welsh Dragon, Matthew Stevens.”
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A bemused Stevens, who has reached 4 World Championship semi-finals, held up 4 fingers and mouthed “4 instances” earlier than showing irritated after which breaking into a smile as he made his strategy to the desk.
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