
Ex-Match of the Day star spotted in crowd watching Zhao Xintong vs Mark Williams in World Snooker Championship final
Zhao Xintong took on Mark Williams in the Crucible showpiece.
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The Chinese star, 28, went into the evening session leading 17-8, needing just one more frame to clinch victory.
Three-time world champion Williams, however, refused to give up without a fight - winning four consecutive frames to go into the interval 17-12 down.
Watching on from the front row was Match of the Day legend Chiles.
The 58-year-old presented MOTD2 from 2004 to 2010.
The huge West Brom fan has also previously hosted ITV 's live coverage of England, as well as The One Show.
Chiles' appearance sparked plenty of chatter on social media.
As Williams, 50, began to launch a comeback, one X user wrote: "Mark Williams doing it for Adrian Chiles there. Making sure his money wasn't wasted. What a man. What a men."
While a second commented: "lol at Adrian chiles being in the background of every low camera shot."
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A third posted: "You can keep your global sports stars, Hollywood A-listers and YouTube influencers front row at the boxing. Give me Adrian Chiles, Reverend & The Maker and Steve Bracknall any day."
With Chiles watching on, Zhao clinched his maiden world title in the first frame after the interval.
Mark Williams apologises for swearing in live TV interview on the BBC after reaching World Snooker Championship final
The Cyclone held his nerve to complete an 18-12 victory, becoming China 's first ever world champion in the process.
Following his historic triumph, Zhao said: "I can't believe this. Yes, I can't believe what I have done in this match. I'm very excited. Thank you.
"I have been so nervous. Mark is a top player and gave me so much pressure. He's the best.
"I'm not tired. I will celebrate, maybe have a good drink tonight. I need to say thank you to everybody coming here. Thank you everybody.
"I can't believe this. I think I am dreaming. Maybe it's true. Thank you to my parents, manager Victoria and girlfriend, WST and CBSA academy."
'UNBELIEVABLE'
Williams, who has been struggling with his vision in recent months, added: "I think it's been a brilliant tournament for me.
"The support I have had from the crowd over the last two weeks have been unbelievable.
"What a potter he is over there, I'm glad I will be too old when he's dominating the game.
"I have nothing but admiration for what he has done, having come through the qualifiers.
"He hasn't played for two years, bashed Ronnie up, bashed me up, bashed everybody up.
"There's a new superstar of the game and here's over there.
"Let's see where I am in the rankings at 60. I am still playing quite good stuff. Even though it's a bit blurry. What I can say, the night belongs to him and congratulations.
"It was unbelievable, the reception I have had all week, but tonight it was special. Everybody was on their feet and it was like a tear to the eye."
World Snooker Championship 2025
WE are now into the final days of what has been a THRILLING World Snooker Championship!
A new world champion will be crowned this year after Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round.
Ronnie O'Sullivan was eyeing a record eighth world title but crashed out at the hands of the brilliant Zhao Xintong - who reached the final qualifying as an amateur after his ban.
The Chinese cueist takes on veteran Mark Williams in a blockbuster Crucible final after the Welshman knocked out World No1 Judd Trump.
You can follow every frame of the tournament final LIVE - plus the latest news, interviews and reaction - as it happens with our dedicated BLOG.
Latest News
O'Sullivan set to quit UK and move abroad
'It's a struggle' - O'Sullivan gives worrying interview after defeat
O'Sullivan snubs job offer for the rest of the tournament
Ronnie hailed for 'lovely scenes' and 'gracious act' in defeat
Steve Davis on how a ham sandwich made him the bad boy of snooker
Barry Hearn on the future of snooker at the Crucible
Snooker Explained
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