'What's your problem?' - Mark Williams wasn't impressed with World Snooker star's snub
'What's your problem?' - Mark Williams wasn't impressed with World Snooker star's snub
Hossein Vafaei and Mark Williams are set to renew their rivalry at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, 15 months on from a heated clash at the World Grand Prix
Hossein Vafaei said he rejected Mark Williams' handshake because he slapped his leg in frustration
(Image: WST/YouTube )
Snooker ace Mark Williams and Hossein Vafaei are staging a much-anticipated reunion at the 2025 World Snooker Championship. The two square off in the second round, a little more than one year after their fiery encounter at the 2024 World Grand Prix.
Williams, 50, appeared visibly irked when Vafaei bypassed the traditional handshake following their battle at the 2024 World Grand Prix. 'The Welsh Potting Machine' had just defeated 'The Prince of Persia' in the tournament's last 16 when an unexpected drama unfolded.
Vafaei conceded the match while 3-1 down, leaving the table promptly after Williams missed the pink. And he only acknowledged referee Olivier Marteel after ignoring his opponent on his way out of the arena.
Article continues below
The crowd voiced their support for Williams and booed Vafaei's breach of sportsmanship. And the former later lifted the lid on Vafaei's explanation after the pair discussed the drama.
"I just pulled him up about it and said, 'What's your problem?'" he said after the match. "And he said it was because I slapped my leg at the end, when I won."
After failing to pot the pink and critiquing his own performance with a slap of the leg, Williams found himself at the centre of the controversy. Many considered Vafaei's response to the situation an overreaction, dismissing it as no excuse for ignoring standard courtesies.
Williams appeared frustrated at the time but later insisted he "didn't care" about Vafaei's show of disrespect
(Image: WST/YouTube )
"I slapped my leg at the end because I shouldn't have gone for the pink," added Williams. "I should have played safe. I thought he would have come back to the table and carried on for snookers. That's why I was a bit fuming. He just stormed off, but if that's the reason. . .I don't care anyway!"
It's not uncommon for players to continue their break attempts even when the result is already decided. No player is obliged to play on if they believe a comeback isn't possible, although the traditional handshake is usually observed regardless of the outcome.
Vafaei, it appears, didn't adhere to this convention and set the scene for an eagerly awaited rematch in Sheffield. The two haven't faced each other since their clash 15 months ago, where Williams scored a century break on his way to a decisive win.
The Gwent native has triumphed in six out of seven matches against The Prince of Persia so far. He most notably beat Vafaei in the semi-finals of the 2023 British Open before securing the title in Cheltenham.
'The Welsh Potting Machine' is a three-time world snooker champion
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire )
Article continues below
Vafaei's sole victory over Williams was significant, however, as he won in a final to become the 2022 Shoot Out champion. However, Williams hopes to prove that he still has his number in Sheffield.
Iranian Vafaei has already made waves at this year's World Championship. He once again faced criticism for expressing his excitement with a shout after potting a crucial ball in a tight 10-9 first-round victory over Barry Hawkins.
He later defended his actions and said this kind of emotion is exactly what fans "want to see." However, his outburst sparked an online debate that suggests not everyone agrees with that sentiment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tom Jones' late wife's last advice to him as he prepared to lose love of life
Sir Tom Jones was married to his wife Melinda "Linda" Trenchard for 59 years before she died in 2016, and the legendary singer has opened up on her tragic advice to him Sir Tom Jones has opened up about the heart-wrenching final words from his late wife before she succumbed to cancer. The iconic singer was by Melinda "Linda" Trenchard's side during her last days after a life together that spanned 59 years, from their marriage in 1957 until her death in 2016. Celebrating his 85th birthday, Sir Tom recounted the profound advice Linda gave him. Speaking on BBC 's Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn, he shared: "When my wife knew that she had terminal cancer, I was with her for the last 10 days in hospital in the room with her. "She said, 'Look I gotta leave, but you don't fall with me. I'm going down, I know, there's nothing I can do about it but don't you do that.'". He continued to reveal how his beloved Linda urged him to persevere and how those words not only helped him through his grief but also guide him when advising young artists today. "She told me, 'Don't you fall with me, you've got to keep going, you've got to get on stage. You've still got songs to sing and think of me when you do it'." Tom reflected on the levity Linda brought to his life, underlining the importance of laughter and remembrance. He went on to express how Linda's memory gave him the fortitude to carry on with his career despite considering retirement in the wake of her passing, reports Wales Online. "She loved jokes and I used to make her laugh a lot so. Now, she gives me strength as when she passed away I thought I was gonna crumble." Noting the challenge of managing emotions while performing, Sir Tom disclosed how close he came to ending his singing career due to overwhelming emotion: "I almost packed it in. I didn't think I could sing anymore because you can't get too emotional sing when you sing because your voice won't come out." Sir Tom Jones has shared some sage advice for aspiring vocalists, saying, "This is what I say to singers now, you take the emotion and then you work it into the song, get it through, but don't get too involved with it because then you'll cry and you won't be able to sing." Celebrating a milestone, the legendary singer announced on his Instagram: "I'm celebrating my 85th birthday this Saturday! and am thrilled to be sharing a very special concert performance - 'Live on Soundstage 2017' for the first time on my YouTube channel." In addition to joining Tony Blackburn on the BBC, Sir Tom is set to feature in a BBC Arts programme called In My Own Words, as reported by GB News. Reflecting on the opportunity, the iconic Sex Bomb singer expressed: "Taking the time to look back at some of the extraordinary things that have happened in my life for In My Own Words has been really enjoyable and thought-provoking. "Some of the archive I'd not seen before, and watching snippets of those past times, places, styles, and struggles brought home how lucky I am. "Being able to spend the day in the first house I ever owned brought back so many memories... I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I did making it!".
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Why Liz Hurley reigns supreme at 60 – from building a £50m business empire to her hilarious quip about Billy Ray romance
It started with a dress held together with safety pins. And three decades on, as she prepares to turn 60, Liz Hurley is still front-page news — and still redefining beauty rules for women. 18 Stunning actress Liz Hurley reigns supreme at 60 Credit: GETTY 18 Loved-up with boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus Credit: GETTY On Tuesday, flanked by her latest love, Billy Ray Cyrus, 63, and her beloved lookalike son, Damian, 23, she will no doubt be blowing out her candles wearing a fabulous skimpy bikini – from her own multimillion pound Elizabeth Hurley Beach collection, of course. Decades before the It girls, influencers and YouTube fashionistas, there was Liz – the OG posh girl pin-up. 'I promise I didn't mean to steal the show' A woman responsible for white jeans, plunging necklines, leopard-print knickers, Jilly-Cooper-style high-octane romances, jet-set friends and an ability to pick herself up by her crystal-encrusted slingbacks and glide through any scandal with the grace of a swan. A woman who is never stuck for words and who, when asked on the red carpet what on earth she had in common with three-times-divorced Billy Ray (father of Miley Cyrus), quipped: 'Well, isn't it obvious? We have the same hair.' She originally met the country star on the set of the 2021 movie Christmas In Paradise, and Billy Ray – who is flying into the UK for her birthday celebrations – has described her as 'a great human being' who just makes him laugh. The OG posh girl pin-up As unlikely romances go, it's certainly compelling. Liz – or Elizabeth as she insists on being called today – and I go back a long way, before that Versace dress that catapulted her into global sex symbol status overnight, before the high-profile romances and break-ups or the paternity scandal surrounding Damian (more on these later). When I first met her at the 1988 launch of BBC drama Christabel – in which she was playing the title role – she was a little-known actress, who'd previously appeared in detective series Inspector Morse. The former dancer from a middle-class army family in Hampshire, Liz – sorry Elizabeth (she was a lot less grand back then) – was ambitious, smart, beautiful and a lot of fun, with a fruity sense of humour and an equally good-looking, up-and-coming actor boyfriend called Hugh Grant, who she'd met on the set of a Spanish movie the previous year. Elizabeth Hurley shares loved-up new video with Billy Ray Cyrus hinting at MARRIAGE after revealing secret romance In order to make it as an actress, she'd transformed from a rebel punk with a nose ring and pink, spiky hair into a classic English rose, all fresh-faced, dewy-skinned and with those sleek brunette locks. 'It's all about luck, timing, right place, right time, right look and a really great part to get that breakthrough,' the then 23 year old told me over several glasses of warm white wine. She wasn't totally wrong. Six years later, at the London premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral in 1994, it was that low-cut, thigh-split, floor-length black dress that got everyone talking. She didn't even have a minor role in the movie, and was only there as a plus-one to Hugh. It's all about luck, timing, right place, right time, right look and a really great part to get that breakthrough Liz Hurley As blinding cameras flashed wherever she moved at the film's after-party in London's In & Out club, she laughed: 'I promise I didn't mean to steal the show!' But she did. Overnight, Liz Hurley became as big a star as her boyfriend, and certainly it's still the one thing everyone remembers about that night. Just shy of her 30th birthday, after a decade trying to make it as a serious actress, Liz got her chance to become a global star – and there was no way she was going to let it slip through her elegantly manicured fingers. 'What sets Liz apart is not actually her beauty but her brains,' says a friend who worked with her when she and Hugh set up the film company Simian Productions in 1994. 18 Showing off her amazing bikini bod Credit: INSTAGRAM 'She's smart. That Versace dress was her light-bulb moment. She immediately saw how she could make a great future for herself. It wasn't about her acting. It was about her. She was the brand, the product, the look. The English rose dripping with sex appeal. Or 'the Posh Totty' as her friends would joke. She never took herself too seriously, but she did realise she had something way beyond being an actress. 'Liz totally understands that beauty, style and fashion are so much more than how you look and what you wear. If you meet her at a party, she can talk about everything from the Kardashians to Sigmund Freud. Her taste in men is equally eclectic – she doesn't have a type, so her choices are always unexpected.' In her six decades, she's built an empire and is now worth over £50million. Eclectic taste in men As well as breaking Hollywood in iconic roles in Austin Powers, Gossip Girl and The Royals, she has a hugely successful bikini business (she is the flagship model) and has been the face and global ambassador for Estée Lauder for more than 30 years. She returns to our screens later this year on Channel 4's reality show The Inheritance, alongside Rob Rinder. Meanwhile, home is a £6million Georgian house in Herefordshire, where she lives with Damian and her black Labradors. There you'll find a beautifully kept English country garden (she is a keen gardener with a vast array of her own secateurs, shovels, hoes and pruning equipment), which is said to be one of the settings for her big 60th birthday celebrations. Figure defies gravity Best friends with Elton John and the Beckhams, she is godmother to Brooklyn and Romeo, plus Elton's sons Zachary and Elijah, as well as her close friend Patsy Kensit's son with Liam Gallagher, Lennon. Entering her seventh decade, she still looks insanely fabulous, with those glossy highlighted locks, the same dewy skin, expertly plucked brows and fresh, minimal make-up. Last year, she was voted by men's magazine Maxim as the World's Sexiest Woman – beating off women half her age including Sabrina Carpenter, as well as Margot Robbie, Jennifer Aniston, and Beyoncé – and celebrated her 59th birthday by showing off her perfect body in a bright-blue skimpy bikini. Her figure defies gravity – not that she'd ever admit to hours sweating in a gym. Three years after the birth of Damian, she told me during an interview that the best thing about motherhood was nibbling on kids' party foods. World's sexiest woman 'I've discovered a passion for pink fondant fancies and those chocolate mini rolls – oh, and egg mayonnaise sandwiches with the crusts cut off.' I had to laugh. Not that I'm cynical, but Mr Kipling just doesn't make exceedingly good bodies like that. But as much as Liz Hurley has redefined a carefully curated beauty look – think English aristocrat meets sexy Hollywood glamour – her life has not been without scandal, humiliation, disappointment and grief. 18 With pal Elton John Credit: GETTY The real measure of Liz's everlasting appeal is the grit and grace she has shown in the face of a series of highly public messy affairs, which have threatened to destroy her image. In fact, it was this that brought her and Billy Ray together. In April, he revealed Liz had reached out to him after his marriage to fellow singer Firerose (AKA Johanna Hodges) collapsed last year, amid tabloid reports of an ongoing feud with his daughter, and a disastrous performance of epic proportions at Donald Trump's inaugural ball. 'Hugh was always there for her. Their bond is truly remarkable' On The Ty Bentli Show in April, Billy Ray said: 'I felt like: 'Wow, can life get any harder? Can it get any tougher?' For me, at a certain point, it was like, you can't get knocked down any flatter than laying on your back when life is kicking you.' And at this moment, a friend reached out to say: 'I'm in your corner.'' There are few people who understand how hard it is to go through a public disgrace more than Liz Hurley. In 1995, a year after her triumphant breakthrough, her 'perfect relationship' with Hugh was destroyed after he was arrested following an incident with sex worker Divine Brown in Los Angeles. Giving the outward appearance she was unshaken by the scandal, which dominated the tabloids, Liz stood firmly by her partner's side, explaining afterwards on an American news show that that although she felt 'like I had been shot' when she heard the news, 'you don't kick someone when they're down.' Their relationship lasted for five more years before ending in 2000 after 13 years together. She still refers to Hugh as her 'closest friend', and their strong bond has baffled many and infuriated some. It was Hugh who stepped up after her brief relationship with multimillionaire Steve Bing in 2001 hit the skids. The businessman refused to acknowledge that Liz was pregnant with his child, until a DNA test proved it shortly after Damian's birth in 2002. Their acrimonious court battle and his initial refusal to be involved in his son's life was intensely difficult for Liz, and Hugh's advice and support according to friends was 'everything to her'. At the time, she had begun dating her future husband, Indian businessman Arun Nayar – who she would marry in 2007 – but, says one friend: 'Hugh knew exactly what it was like to be dragged through the mud in public. Liz had been by his side throughout the worst months of his life and he just knew what to say, what to do, and how to be there for her. 'She was pregnant, desperately sad that Steve was refusing to acknowledge the baby she was carrying – but there was Hugh, always there for her. Their bond is truly remarkable.' Hugh – along with Elton John, his partner, David Furnish, actor Denis Leary, multimillionaire Teddy Forstmann and aristocrat Henry Dent-Brocklehurst – is Damian's godfather ('Godfather Number One,' as friends describe him). He was there to lend support again when, in June 2020, Damian's estranged father jumped from the 27th floor of his luxury Los Angeles building and fell to his death. In the traumatic weeks that followed, Liz, as she had always done, showed grace under fire. Despite the conflict over Damian's parentage and the fact Bing did not include him in his will, she revealed that he had in fact sent a text to Damian on his 18th birthday and left a note for him before he took his life. 'Damian adores her, and she can't go a day without talking to him' She put up pics of her ex on Instagram, and told her 3 million followers that he was a 'sweet, kind man' and 'our time together was very happy'. Liz has never been one to dish the dirt – when her four-year marriage to Arun came to an end in 2011 and she began divorce proceedings citing his 'unreasonable behaviour', she never once hinted what that behaviour was. Three months after her divorce, she began dating Australian cricketer Shane Warne, and within the year they were engaged. Again, it seemed an unlikely match: the classic English beauty Liz with the hard-drinking, partying, bad boy. After two years, the relationship – which he described as 'the happiest of his life' – came to an end. 18 Elizabeth with lookalike son Damian Credit: GETTY They remained close friends and when he died suddenly of a heart attack in Thailand in 2022, she spoke of her deep grief at his loss. In an interview last year, she said: 'It was appalling losing Shane, it was a terrible thing. And it's a sadness, you know, that stays with you a long time.' Elizabeth also acknowledged the impact on her son. 'I know as we get older we're going to experience more and more loss, but Damian as a young man has experienced probably more than most.' In tabloid terms, it may be Liz's latest romance that keeps her in the news, but those closest to her know that there is really only one man who will forever remain in her heart – her beloved film-producer son Damian. 'They are a unit,' says her friend. 'He adores her, she is his muse and she can't go a day without talking to him. They collaborate on everything, including her modelling shots for her bikini business. She has appeared in his films, they laugh together, cook together, go out together. He is completely her world. 'Her greatest sadness was he didn't get to have a father, which is why he has six godfathers, and Liz has always made sure that any man in her life knows he comes first. On her 60th birthday, of everything she has done, Damian remains her greatest achievement.' Like that dress fastened only with golden safety pins, Elizabeth Hurley has tenaciously held her world and her family together in the face of circumstances which could have floored a lesser mortal. At 60, she has emerged as a true woman of substance. Happy birthday, Elizabeth. The Ex Factor She may be loved-up with Billy Ray Cyrus, but there's been no end of drama when it comes to Liz's love life. Hugh Grant 18 Liz met Hugh Grant when she was 22 Credit: GETTY The pair met when he was 27 and she was 22 on the set of 1987 movie Rowing With The Wind. They have remained firm friends ever since. Steve Bing 18 Liz dated The Polar Express producer Steve Bing for 18 months in the early 2000s Credit: MEGA Liz dated The Polar Express producer for 18 months on and off in the early 2000s, before giving birth to their son Damian. Steve Nash 18 Basketballer Steve Nash dated Liz briefly in 2001 Credit: GETTY The Canadian basketball player dated Liz briefly in 2001. At the time, a representative for Steve described the duo as having 'just vibed'. Arun Nayar 18 The actress and Arun Nayar had two wedding ceremonies in 2007 Credit: GETTY The actress and the Indian heir had not one but two wedding ceremonies in 2007. Three years later, Liz announced their divorce. Shane Warne 18 Liz and Australian cricketer Shane Warne got engaged in 2011 Credit: GETTY Liz and the Australian cricketer got engaged in 2011, but split in December 2013. After his death, she called him her 'beloved lionheart'. Justin Theroux 18 Liz denied any romance with Justin Theroux Credit: GETTY Paparazzi pics with the actor sparked rumours of a relationship. However, Liz denied any romance between them. She's forever in fashion Ever since that Versace dress, Liz has barely put a foot wrong when it comes to her style choices Put a pin in it 18 This Versace gold safety-pin dress catapulted relatively unknown Liz into the limelight in 1994 Credit: GETTY It was the Versace gold safety-pin dress that catapulted the relatively unknown Liz into the limelight in 1994. Her gravity-defying outfit, which cost £3,000 at the time was, she said: 'The first incredibly expensive dress I'd ever put on in my life.' Pretty in pink 18 Stunning Hurley dazzling in a hot pink sequin dress in 1995 Credit: GETTY Liz dazzled again in this hot-pink, sequin, maxi-dress she wore to the 1995 César Awards in Paris. Pared-back make-up and coiffed hair completed the look. Mellow yellow 18 Liz looked vibrant as she was unveiled as the new face of Estée Lauder in a £2million deal in March 1995 Credit: GETTY This vibrant yellow Versace blazer and matching skirt marked a very different look for Liz as she was unveiled as the new face of Estée Lauder in a £2million deal in March 1995 – a role she still holds 30 years on. Animal magic 18 All eyes were on Elizabeth when she flashed her leopard print knickers while wearing a red Versace dress in 1998 Credit: G4BYTB All eyes were on Elizabeth when she flashed her leopard print knickers while wearing a red Versace dress with a thigh-high split to the wedding of millionaire film producer Henry Dent-Brocklehurst and model Lilikoi Maltese in 1998. All white on the night 18 Hurley donned in white at the Rocketman premiere in May 2019 Credit: GETTY Attending the Rocketman premiere in London in May 2019, the actress showed she was out of this world as she posed in a sequined white Versace suit paired with silver heels. Her marble-effect clutch bag added a pop of colour. Barely there 18 Earlier this year, Elizabeth showed off her incredible figure in a Celia Kritharioti form-fitting optical illusion gown Credit: GETTY Stepping out at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March, Elizabeth showed off her incredible figure in a Celia Kritharioti form-fitting optical illusion gown that was covered in crystals and made it look like she wasn't wearing a dress at all. Beach babe 18 Liz showed off her enviable shape in a skimpy red two-piece Credit: INSTAGRAM The actress showed off her enviable figure in a skimpy red two-piece from her hugely successful Elizabeth Hurley Beach in a collection of shots taken in Baglioni, in the Maldives, last month. If we looked this good in a bikini at almost 60, we would too!
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Love Island's Dejon Noel-Williams on why he didn't seek advice from famous pal
EXCLUSIVE: Dejon Noel-Williams is gearing up to enter the Love Island villa in 2025 - and he's set to follow in the footsteps of a former islander who he has a close bond with As Love Island 2025 gears up for its premiere on Monday, June 9, one contestant is already turning heads: 26-year-old Dejon Noel-Williams from London. A personal trainer and semi-professional footballer, Dejon who is the son of former Premier League striker Gifton Noel-Williams, the nepo baby, also is a close friend to a former islander. While you would think that being a friend of someone who made it to the final of the show would mean you get all the lowdown and ins and outs of the love island experience, this was not the case for Dejon. Dejon shares a close bond with Tyrique Hyde, a standout from Love Island 2023, who finished in third place alongside his then partner, Ella Thomas. Their friendship stems from their fathers' profession and shared experiences growing up. Interestingly, Dejon chose to keep his Love Island participation a secret from Tyrique. "Actually, I didn't tell Tyrique I was going in,' he beamed as we spoke. 'He's going to be surprised. I had to keep the whole thing secret - even when I saw him recently, I didn't say anything. So no advice from him!" Being the son of Gifton, who had a notable football career with clubs like Watford, Stoke City, and Burnley, Dejon has always had a strong role model. Gifton, now 45, transitioned into coaching after his playing days and remains a significant influence in Dejon's life. "My dad's like my best friend,' he says. 'He's always been honest with me - about everything, good and bad - and super supportive. When I played football, he was proud. When I became a trainer, same thing. He supported this too. He told me to just be myself and said the world will love me for who I am." This season, Love Island is lifting its five-year ban on airing intimate scenes, including those in the villa's producer Mike Spencer confirmed that such footage will be broadcast to keep the show "fresh and exciting" in its 10th year. Dejon approached the topic on whether he had spoke to his parents about the potential of having sex on TV, he quipped: "Yeah, we're honest like that. My dad just said he might have to turn off the TV if that happens." As the series airs Monday at 9pm, Dejon is '100% excited' to be heading in, but his path to the villa came with a twist - he didn't actually apply himself. 'Funny enough, I actually didn't sign up for the show—it was my sisters who did it for me,' Dejon revealed. The 26-year-old from London explained that his family had long pushed him to take the leap into reality TV. 'They've been saying for ages, 'You need to go on Love Island,' and I just kept brushing it off,' he said. After more than a year and a half of being single, his sisters decided to take matters into their own hands. And while Dejon may not have submitted his own application, he's now embracing the experience. 'I think they just want me to be back in a relationship,' he added. The former footballer also opened up about his last relationship, which lasted four years. 'Yeah, it is [a long time],' he admitted. 'We fell deeply in love during COVID. Things moved really fast—she moved in with me and we spent a lot of time together.' But like many relationships formed during the intense lockdown period, cracks eventually began to show. 'Over time, our goals and alignments changed. We just didn't match up anymore,' he said. Despite having a famous dad, Dejon has denied that he is a nepo baby as he enters the the villa. Dejon said: "Now that I've been called a nepo baby, I don't know how to react." He was also asked about his friendship with former Love Island star Tyrique Hyde. He said: "I've known him since we were kids, like babies. My dad and his dad played for the same team and they were best friends. As we got older, we had similar interests. We played for the same teams and we played against each other at football." Dejon is currently playing for Bedford Town and has previously played for Oxford United, Wealdstone, Guadalajara and the Grenada national team. The next series of Love Island is due to grace our screens on Monday for the 2025 series. A whole host of new singles have been chosen to go into the villa to try and find love while also navigating the twists and turns of the show. The series will be filmed in its usual Majorcan villa but it has been given a spruce up since last year. Love Island returns Monday, June 9 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
