Talking Snooker

Nick and Phil review the first round of the World Championship, in what has been a marvellous tournament so far. There's been exits for defending champion Kyren Wilson and four time winner Mark Selby, a return to action for Ronnie O'Sullivan and a host of dramatic finishes. We'll return after the quarter-finals to look back at all the best of 25 frame matches at the tournament. Keep your thoughts coming please - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are joined by one of the big hitters of the snooker press room, Shane MacDermott, to look ahead to the World Championship at the Crucible. We look ahead to every first round match to come, which will include Ronnie O'Sullivan taking on Ali Carter. We also reflect on the dramas of world qualifying, including the two Judgement Days. We'll be a Thursday and Friday service in the coming weeks and aim to return when the first round at the Crucible is complete. Enjoy the tournament everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return with a new episode of the podcast, to reflect on a magnificent victory for John Higgins at the Tour Championship. There's talk about the week overall, including our own visits to Manchester for the tournament. There's loads more besides in this episode, including the latest from World Championship qualifying in Sheffield, news of the referee for the world final and an update on future hosting of the tournament. We'll return next week after the World Championship draw to look ahead to round one at the Crucible and reflect on more qualifying action, with the Judgement Day climax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Woollaston joins Phil and Nick to talk about his career so far. It's a fascinating conversation, which takes in meeting Mark Selby as a boy, what Judd Trump was like as a junior, playing at the Crucible and reaching the Welsh Open final. There's also some sadder talk about Ben's recent health struggles, which he believes resulted from taking the Covid vaccine. Plus his welcome return to form lately and his hopes for the future. In a marathon episode, we also report on an outrageous early result at the Tour Championship in Manchester, the British Women's Open and look ahead to world qualifying. Plus we catch up on your correspondence. We'll return next week for a full review of the Tour Championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return to review the Players Championship in Telford, where Kyren Wilson claimed his fourth tournament win of the season. There's also a look ahead to the Tour Championship and a round-up of all the latest snooker news. We'll return next week to catch up with all your correspondence. Tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick welcome a very entertaining guest to the podcast in Zak Surety, who has just had his best ever tournament run at the World Open. There's loads of good stuff here from Zak, including his early days on tour, friendship with Stuart Bingham, his recent maximum break and hopes for the future. There's all the rest of the snooker news too, including a number of players winning two year tour cards. We'll return next week with a review of the Players Championship in Telford and preview of the Tour Championship in Manchester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're there. Two hundred episodes. That's a lot of talking snooker by anyone's standards. In this landmark episode, we reflect on World Grand Prix glory for Neil Robertson and look ahead to the Players Championship. There's all the rest of the snooker news too plus a wee bit of chat about reaching our double century. Our lines are always open to you. Tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Higgins is celebrating his first ranking tournament victory for four years, and the 32nd of his magnificent career. Phil and Nick return to reflect on his success at the World Open in Yushan. There's also a look ahead to the World Grand Prix, plus news on the Q Tour Global Play-Offs and the World Disability Snooker Championship. We'll bring you our 200th episode next week - keep your thoughts coming to us, tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are joined by the women's world seniors champion Tessa Davidson. There's loads of talk about Tessa's success in the 1980s and 90s, her long break from the sport and her prolific success since returning. Tessa also gives us her views on how we can get more girls into playing snooker and the future of the women's game. There's plenty more besides, including the latest from the World Open in Yushan, the draw for the World Grand Prix and news of a ban and fine for Matt Selt following 'rude and aggressive' behaviour in Saudi Arabia last year. We'll be back next week to review the climax of the World Open. Keep your snooker thoughts coming please - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick are back with a new episode straight after the Welsh Open final in Llandudno, where Mark Selby beat Stephen Maguire to claim the title. There's plenty of chat about the week overall at the final Home Nations of the season, including tributes to two unforgettable champions from Wales, Ray Reardon and Terry Griffiths. We also look ahead to the World Open, which gets under way next weekend. In our next episode, Tessa Davidson will join us and you're more than welcome to send your questions in - tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are back with a mixture of latest news and your views. We reflect on victory for Mark Selby in the Championship League and the latest on the Welsh Open. There's news of glory for Reanne Evans in Belgium and success for Liam Highfield on the Q Tour. We also catch up with your correspondence, with topics including snooker mascot Johnny Potalot, where to go during the World Championship in Sheffield and the former player now working for TfL. We'll return after this weekend's Welsh Open final, while we'll be joined by Tessa Davidson at the end of this month. If you have any snooker opinions or questions for Tessa, please drop us a line - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are back with a marathon episode. Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson joins us ahead of the defence of his title in Llandudno. Gary talks about his time growing up, including appearing on Junior Big Break, and his early days on tour. There's chat too about his years away from the tour and working in other jobs, and his brilliant return which has featured a World Championship semi-final and three ranking tournament wins in the last 26 months. There's also plenty on the German Masters, with Kyren Wilson claiming his third tournament success of the season with victory over Barry Hawkins in a terrific final. Nick talks about his time in Berlin and delivers his verdict on the Tempodrom. There's loads more too in this two hour special, including the Welsh Open, news from the WSF Championships in Morocco and even a hint towards a new tournament venue for next season. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording and please do keep your thoughts coming in to us - tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick are back, with one of our episodes combining news and views. There's chat about the latest from the German Masters in Berlin and an exciting tournament victory for Mink Nutcharut in Morocco. Plus the Championship League, the teenager who has won a new two year tour card and news that TNT Sports will replace Eurosport in the UK and Ireland. We also catch up with your correspondence, with topics including the Masters and glory for Shaun Murphy, the new BBC deal to show live coverage of snooker until 2032 and how to boost participation in the sport in clubs. We'll return next week with a full review of events in Berlin. Your views are always welcome - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick are back to reflect on a brilliant edition of the Masters, which culminated in victory for Shaun Murphy over Kyren Wilson in the final. There's talk about Murphy's triumph - including his maximum in the semi-finals - plus the week at Alexandra Palace overall, including Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrawing and the subsequent discussion about mental health on Eurosport. On a busy episode, there's also the latest from the Championship League, a German Masters preview and news from the WSF Championships in Morocco. Keep your thoughts coming and we'll catch up with your correspondence next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look ahead to the Masters on its 50th birthday, previewing all the first round matches to come at Alexandra Palace and remembering some classic moments over the years. Keep your thoughts coming throughout the tournament and we'll return afterwards to review all the action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are joined by Eurosport presenter Radzi Chinyanganya for our first episode of 2025. Radzi takes us on a whistle-stop tour through his life and career, from trying to compete at the Winter Olympics in skeleton bobsleigh to presenting Blue Peter and now hosting coverage of the biggest snooker tournaments on television. So many highlights here including: *Working with Jimmy White *That interview with Ronnie O'Sullivan *Events in Saudi Arabia *The future of the Crucible *Presenting on Blue Peter *His faith and belief in God ***Plus a surprise impression of Barry Hearn*** ...and even that just scratches the surface. We'd love to have your company for this episode. We'll return next week with a match by match preview of the Masters. Happy New Year to all our listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil bring you a Christmas Special episode of the podcast, as we look back on the last twelve months in snooker. From Ronnie O'Sullivan winning his eighth Masters title to Lei Peifan's shock Scottish Open success, via Crucible glory for Kyren Wilson and another stellar year of success for Judd Trump. We also catch up on the action on the table in the days before Christmas, including the latest Saudi Invitational and qualifying for the German Masters and World Open. And we reflect on the sad news of the deaths of former British Open winner Silvino Francisco and the sport's best ever compere, Alan Hughes. Sincere thanks for joining us in big numbers again throughout 2024 and we very much look forward to your company in 2025, when we'll kick off with a guest appearance from Eurosport presenter Radzi Chinyanganya. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lei Peifan is celebrating the most surprising of victories at the Scottish Open and in this new episode, we reflect on his stunning success. There's a review of the final between two 21-year-olds, Lei and Wu Yize. Plus all the results and stories from the last 16 stage onwards. There's also plenty of other snooker news, including the latest Saudi Invitational, German Masters qualifying and Zhao Xintong at Q School. We'll be back very soon with our Christmas Special episode, when we'll look back at snooker in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil to reflect on the Shoot Out in Leicester, which culminated in success for Tom Ford as he claimed a first ranking event victory at the age of 41. There's also chat about some of the crowd behaviour that crossed the line during the event. We take a look at the big stories from the opening days of the Scottish Open in Edinburgh too and catch up with your correspondence. Topics include: the fan experience at the Champion of Champions, Mark Allen's approach at the UK Championship and those unsavoury scenes at the Shoot Out. Plus an appeal from a listener in Spain following devastation caused to a snooker club in Valencia by recent flooding in the country. We'll return next week to review the climax of the Scottish Open and preview the Saudi invitational event. Keep your snooker thoughts coming to: talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil reflect on the sad news that one of snooker's most celebrated and popular champions, Terry Griffiths, has died at the age of 77. There's a look back at Terry's wonderful career, which included World Championship glory in 1979, and his time as a fine television commentator and successful coach. We also read out some of the tributes from players, including from Stephen Hendry and Mark Allen. There's a look back at the UK Championship in York, which culminated in a fifth Triple Crown success for Judd Trump. There were a host of talking points to emerge from the event, including table conditions, average shot time and television coverage. There are details too of the Masters draw, a look ahead to the Shoot Out in Leicester and news of Women's Masters success for Reanne Evans in London. Plus Nick on his new audio service - Radio Snooker with Nick Metcalfe - and a special interview from the Snooker Chat website on our own Talking Snooker podcast. We'll return next week, when alongside all the latest snooker news we'll catch up with your correspondence. Contact us at any time - tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil look ahead to one of the biggest events of the season, the UK Championship in York. We preview all the first round matches to come and the tournament overall. Plus there's a look back at Judgement Day in Leicester. Keep your thoughts coming to us during the tournament, especially if you're attending the tournament. Tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are joined by Taylor Wilson, the manager of his brother Kyren and Stuart Bingham. There's plenty of chat about the ins and outs of sports management, plus Kyren's Crucible triumph this year and whether the world champion really is underappreciated. Plus Taylor's own ambitions for the future. There's also a review of a brilliant victory for Mark Williams at the Champion of Champions plus the latest news from UK qualifying. And Nick sings to mark our fourth birthday. We'll return on Friday to review Judgement Day in Leicester and look ahead to the main stages of the UK Championship in York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are back and there's a lot to catch up on. There's talk about another success for world champion Kyren Wilson with his win at the Northern Ireland Open. And there's a full review of the International Championship, which culminated in victory for Ding Junhui. There's also a look ahead to another eagerly awaited edition of the Champion of Champions and a round-up of all the rest of the snooker news. Plus a few words about a certain election. We'll catch up with your correspondence soon. Please keep it coming - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick return with a new episode, with the main focus of our attention catching up with your correspondence. Subjects include Kyren Wilson's British Open complaints, the form of John Higgins and where to sit at the forthcoming UK Championship. There's also the big stories from the early action at the Northern Ireland Open and the rest of the snooker news. We'll be taking a break from the podcast now, but will return soon to catch up on everything that's happened in Belfast and the International Championship in China. Your views are always most welcome - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick are live from David Gilbert's Potters Snooker & Pool Club in Swadlincote for the latest edition of the Tony Meo Trophy. We talk about the battle for the trophy and reveal the venue for the 2025 match. Gilbert joins us for this episode and he is typically forthright on a number of matters, including match lengths, dress codes and the miss rule. If you'd like to respond to any of Dave's points, we'd love to hear from you - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com There's also discussion about a first ranking event victory for Xiao Guodong at the Wuhan Open and a preview of the Northern Ireland Open. We will return next week with a Your Views episode, catching up with all your correspondence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick are joined by Liam Highfield to talk about his life in snooker so far and hopes for the future. Liam tells us about beating some of the game's biggest names, his three appearances at the Crucible and experiences so far on the Q Tour. He also talks candidly about suffering with Crohn's disease and having to deal with OCD. There's plenty to catch up with across the snooker world, including the latest from the Wuhan Open and news of victory for Mink Nutcharat at the Australian Women's Open. Plus qualifying for the International Championship and success for Zhao Xintong on the Q Tour. We'll return next week with a special live episode following the latest instalment of the Tony Meo Trophy. Please do keep your thoughts coming on any snooker matter - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil reflect on victory for Mark Selby at the British Open. There's also chat about runner-up John Higgins, who is back in the top 16 straight away, and friend of the podcast Oliver Lines, who reached his first ranking event semi-final. There's loads of other talking points from the week in Cheltenham, including the confusing schedule, complaints from Kyren Wilson about not being on the TV table and playing conditions in the arena. Plus news of Northern Ireland qualifying, the upcoming Wuhan Open, the Australian Women's Open and the death of snooker journalist Clive Everton. We'll return soon. Your views on any snooker matters will as ever be most welcome - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return to reflect on Neil Robertson winning his first ranking tournament in more than two years with success at the English Open in Brentwood. There's also plenty of chat about a brilliant run to the final, and performance in the showpiece match, from Wu Yize. There's also early news from the British Open in Cheltenham, success for Dylan Emery on the Q Tour and plenty more besides. This episode was brought to you in association with Blackcurrant Lemsips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return with a new episode and they are joined by a guest presenter, broadcaster Rod Studd. Rod delivers strong views on a number of matters, including Judd Trump's status in the game, Ronnie O'Sullivan playing left-handed in Brentwood this week and players returning to the sport after serving bans following the match fixing scandal. We also hear from Rod about his love of the game, his years covering darts for Sky and his inspirational recovery and return to work following a stroke. Plus we have all the latest from the English Open, look ahead to the British Open and bring you news of another autumnal snooker tradition, the Tony Meo Trophy. If you'd like to respond to anything you've heard here - or indeed you have a view on any snooker matter - please do tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick return with the podcast to reflect on victory for Judd Trump in snooker's new fourth major in Saudi Arabia. There's plenty of chat about the tournament, including its promotion, television coverage and crowd sizes. There's also talk about the UK Women's Championship, Seniors 900 in Hull, the return of Zhao Xintong and the English Open. Many thanks for tuning in and please do keep your thoughts coming to us - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick return with a new episode to reflect on the first half of the sport's new fourth major in Saudi Arabia. Alongside a review of the action so far and a look ahead to the biggest names entering, there's chat about a number of issues at the event, including the non-existent crowds. There's also the rest of the snooker news, including a maximum break on the amateur circuit. Plus we catch up with your correspondence. Keep your thoughts coming to us please - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick are back with a new episode and we're reflecting on a terrific victory at the Xi'an Grand Prix for world champion Kyren Wilson. We talk through the highlights of the week, including a run to the last four for Daniel Wells. There's also a look ahead to snooker's fourth major in Saudi Arabia, plus the rest of the snooker news. Keep your thoughts coming to us please - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return with the podcast and there's plenty to catch up on, including action from the British Open and US Women's Open, plus a preview of the Xian Grand Prix. We also catch up with your correspondence too, round up the rest of the snooker news and reflect on the Olympics at the end of a memorable Paris Games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick are joined by Oliver Lines for our new episode. He tells us about his career so far, including reaching two recent tournament quarter-finals. There's chat about what it's been like to be on tour at the same time as his father Peter, and his friendship with Judd Trump. Plus Ollie's hopes for the future. There's also a catch up with a busy period of qualifying action, with some interesting results in both the Xian Grand Prix and Wuhan Open. Please do keep your thoughts coming to us on any snooker matter - tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil pay tribute to the great Ray Reardon, who has died at the age of 81. There's talk about Ray's brilliant achievements on the table, including his six world titles, and amazing life off it. We have also included your thoughts and memories, which we appreciate you sending in. We also reflect on the action on the table, with Judd Trump storming to a dominant victory at the Shanghai Masters. Plus there's a round up of the rest of the snooker news. Please do feel free to keep your tributes to Ray Reardon coming to us - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick return with a new episode, as we catch up with your correspondence. Topics include John Higgins, venues for tournaments and BBC coverage. There's also a catch up with the early action from the Shanghai Masters, plus a round-up of the rest of the latest snooker news. Keep your thoughts coming to us - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil reflect on victory for Ali Carter at the Championship League, as he beat Jackson Page in the final to claim the sixth ranking title of his career. There's also a look ahead to the Shanghai Masters and the rest of the snooker news. Plus Nick tells us about meeting up with a fan of the podcast in Germany. We'll return next week. Please do keep your thoughts coming to us on any snooker matter - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are joined by World Championship runner-up Jak Jones in a marathon new episode of the podcast. Jak talks us through his memorable run to the final at the Crucible. There's chat about his memorable victories over a number of top players, and just coming up short against Kyren Wilson in the final. He also has his say again on comments made by Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham about his style of play during the tournament. Jak then reflects on his life and career in snooker so far, including the unlikely events that led to him being discovered, his difficult early days on tour and the sport being played behind closed doors. We also put your correspondence to Jak and reflect on the latest play in the Championship League. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick return to reflect on the first week of the 24-25 season. There's eight days of Championship League action to catch up on. Plus there's Your Views and a round up of the rest of the snooker news. Keep your thoughts coming to us please - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are joined by a special guest presenter Kevin Garside, the chief sports correspondent of the i Newspaper. There's more reflection on the recent World Championship, including those quarter-final exits for Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump. Plus we talk snooker in the media and Kevin's take on the sport's presence in newspapers. We'll catch up with all your correspondence in our next episode. Please do keep it coming. Tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick return with a brand new episode for a brand new snooker season. We catch up with events at Q School and look ahead to the first event of the 24-25 season, the Championship League. We also pay tribute to Dene O'Kane, who has sadly died at the age of 61. Please keep your correspondence coming to us on any snooker matter - tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return with our final episode of the season, reflecting on World Championship glory for Kyren Wilson at the Crucible. We talk about his victory in the final over Jak Jones, as well as the semi-finals. We also chat about the tournament as a whole, including the television coverage, and catch up with your Sheffield correspondence. There's a look back at the World Seniors and a review of the 23/24 season, including news of the WST Awards. We'll now be away for a few weeks and will return in June for the start of the 24/25 season. Keep your thoughts coming to us in the meantime - tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Thank you so much for all your company during the season, it's very much appreciated. The listeners really help to make this podcast what it is and we love having you there. See you soon for more of the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil are back with a special episode live from Sheffield, and they're joined by two brilliant guests in father and son, Mark and Ryan Watterson. There's plenty of chat about all the best of 25 matches played in the World Championship at the Crucible over the last week, from the second round and quarter-final stages, plus the latest news from the semi-finals. There's also plenty from Mark and Ryan too, including Mark's great love of this championship since he first came to the Crucible since 1977 and Ryan's new role as a media officer with the WPBSA. We also talk about the massive contribution made by another member of the Watterson family, Mark's late uncle Mike. He was first and foremost a promoter in snooker, being instrumental in the tournament moving to Sheffield. Alongside that, he was a fine player and commentator. We reflect on that and also talk about some of Mike's roles in a number of other sports, including football, darts and bowls. Keep your thoughts coming to us and we''ll catch up with all your correspondence in our final episode of the season next week. Tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return with the latest news from the World Championship at the Crucible. On the table, there's a review of the first round stage and a look ahead at best of 25 matches in the coming days. Off the table, there's loads to talk about including the future of the Crucible and this week's media appearances from Barry Hearn. Plus the threat of a breakaway tour, which reportedly could attract some big name players from next season. And following the strong words about Hossein Vafaei's Crucible comments this week, we ask whether pundits are too easy on the biggest players in the game like Ronnie O'Sullivan. Keep your thoughts coming - tweet us or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com - and we look forward to your company for our special live episode from Sheffield next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil look ahead to the biggest tournament in the sport, the World Championship in Sheffield. Before they get stuck into the 17 days to come, there's a review of qualifying, including another couple of highly dramatic Judgement Days, with the biggest story seeing the exit of Neil Robertson. We then bring you the World Championship draw and preview every first round match to come. There's also the latest on the topic that's been dominating the build-up, the future of the Crucible as the venue for the event. Enjoy the World Championship everyone. We'll be back after the first round stage. Keep your thoughts coming to us throughout the tournament - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick are back with a Sunday night post final episode, reflecting on glory for Mark Williams at the Tour Championship. There's plenty of chat about a brilliant run to the title for Williams, which culminated in him beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the world final. There's also talk about world qualifying, the return of the tiered system for a number of tournaments next season and your correspondence. Keep your thoughts coming - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return with their first episode of April and it's a bit of a monster affair. The main part of the episode sees special guest Liam Davies join us. We chat to the 17-year-old about winning a two year tour card. There's also talk about his time growing up and association with various stars of the game, including Mark Williams. Liam recounts his memories of become the youngest player to ever win a World Championship match and also talks about his hopes for the future. There's plenty more besides, including reaction to the World Mixed Doubles and glory for Luca Brecel and Reanne Evans. We have our say on the potential for a new format. And there's your correspondence on the tournament too. Plus there's the latest from the Tour Championship, including the controversial new format and 'retirement talk' from both John Higgins and Mark Selby. *1-40 minutes - Special guest Liam Davies *40-65 minutes - World Mixed Doubles *65-93 minutes - Tour Championship latest + rest of snooker news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick return with a new episode and there's so much snooker to catch up on. We lead by reflecting on a wonderful new world champion in this sport. There's plenty of chat about victory for Bai Yulu at the Women's World Championship, as well as your correspondence on the tournament. There's also a full review of the World Open, with Judd Trump claiming his fifth ranking title of the season. And there are previews of the Manchester double to come, the World Mixed Doubles and Tour Championship. We'll be back next week with a special guest in teenager Liam Davies, who has just won a two year tour card. If you have any questions for Liam, drop us a line - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick return to reflect on the Saudi Invitational, including your views. There's also a look ahead to next week's World Open. Plus there's talk about victory for Mark Selby at the Championship League and the latest from the Women's World Championship, plus the Q Tour global play-offs. We'll return after the World Open to review that tournament, plus look ahead to a cracking Manchester double of World Mixed Doubles and Tour Championship. Keep your thoughts coming to us - tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick and Phil return with a new episode of the podcast, catching up on all the latest snooker news and your correspondence. We report on the latest developments at the Championship League, including the 200th maximum break made in professional snooker. There's also the Seniors 900 at Goffs, the Saudi invitational event and the Women's World Championship in China. Your views include snooker's foray into Saudi Arabia, Mark Allen's chances of Crucible glory and the return to Goffs. We'll return after the climax of the Championship League to review the end of that event and look ahead to the World Open. Keep your thoughts coming to us. Tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil and Nick have welcomed a brilliant guest to the podcast in Tom Ford. Listen to Tom speak about his early days, including memories of Malcolm Thorne, and some of his memorable career moments including a maximum break against Steve Davis just hours after discharging himself from hospital. He also talks very movingly about some of his struggles during the pandemic lockdowns, answers your questions and tells us about his hopes for the future. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording. There's also a review of the Players Championship in Telford, with another tournament success for serial winner Mark Allen and another impressive run from one of the players of the season, Zhang Anda. Plus news from the Championship League, Saudi Invitational and World Mixed Doubles. We'll catch up on your views next week - keep your correspondence coming to talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices