Ex-Match of the Day star spotted in crowd watching Zhao Xintong vs Mark Williams in World Snooker Championship final
ADRIAN CHILES enjoyed a front row seat at this evening's World Snooker Championship final.
Zhao Xintong took on Mark Williams in the Crucible showpiece.
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Adrian Chiles could be seen in the front row behind Mark Williams
Credit: BBC
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Chiles, 58, had a brilliant view of the action
Credit: Getty
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.
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The huge
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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Zhao Xintong hoists aloft the trophy at the Crucible
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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
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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.
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"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
"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.
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"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.
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"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."
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