Crucible rookie makes HISTORY in first-ever World Snooker Championship match having watched last tournament in his pants
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
JUST a year after watching the tournament in his underwear, Zak Surety wrote himself into World Snooker Championship folklore on his debut at The Crucible.
The Englishman, playing for the first time in Sheffield, became the first player in history to hit four centuries on debut at the World Snooker Championship.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Zak Surety hit four centuries on his Crucible debut
Credit: Alamy
2
Ding Junhui got the better of debutant Surety
Credit: Getty
Surety had come through qualifying to earn himself a meeting with 10th seed Ding Junhui - the Godfather of Chinese snooker - in the opening round.
Ding, the beaten finalist in 2016 when he lost 18-14 to Mark Selby, ran out a 10-7 victor against Surety, although the world No. 73 greatly impressed on his first showing among snooker's elite.
What made Surety's performance that much more impressive was the fact that last year, he had been sat at home watching the tournament in his pants.
The Basildon Bull Dog admitted that he was "the biggest snooker nerd" when it came to the season finale.
Surety, 33, said: 'Honestly, I'm the biggest snooker nerd when it comes to the Crucible.
'I like to sit in my pants for 17 days and just watch every session on TV.
'I don't move – 10am to midnight every day, just watching snooker. So to be involved with it now, it's unreal.
'I haven't even been there to watch before.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
"I'm keen on my running. A few years ago, I thought I had never actually seen the place.
'I typed the address into my iPhone maps and ran towards it. When I saw the Stage Door, I felt my knees buckle."
Shaun Murphy congratulated on 'winning 2025 World Snooker Championship' after 'magnificent' trick shot to win frame
Humorously, Surety also said that he watched episodes of EastEnders on BBC iPlayer before games.
He said: 'Not many people know but EastEnders goes up on the iPlayer at 6am.
'It's perfect prep for a game – a bit of Phil Mitchell and then the Crucible.'
Unfortunately for Surety, he could not rediscover the winning touch that saw him get through three qualifying rounds, including defeating players ranked higher than him.
Those scalps included Jack Lisowski, the world No. 25, and Ricky Walden, the world No. 40.
Surety's conqueror Ding will go on to face either former world champion Luca Brecel or world No. 36 Ryan Day in the last 16, before a potential encounter with second seed Shaun Murphy in the last eight.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
11 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
I'm a stay-at-home mum to two girls on benefits, now I'm begging people to help me pay my rent, there's no shame in it
Read on to see how strangers help the mum make rent NOT KIDDING I'm a stay-at-home mum to two girls on benefits, now I'm begging people to help me pay my rent, there's no shame in it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM has taken to social media to ask strangers to pay her rent. Sherene Cyrus, from the UK, is a stay-at-home mum of two girls and while she does receive Universal Credit, she still needs help paying rent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Sherene revealed she was unable to pay her rent as UC hadn't paid her Credit: TikTok/shercyrusx 2 Sherene went on to ask strangers online to help her out Credit: TikTok/shercyrusx In a recent clip posted to social media, she said: "To be known as the girl that can't pay her rent is actually quite embarrassing. "But then equally I'm doing it for my girls." Since asking people to help fund her rent, Sherene has gained 25,000 followers on TikTok to help her make cash from the app. So far, she revealed she had made £75 so far and hopes to make more in the future. She added: "I'm just a stay-at-home mum trying to make it happen. "I do plan on getting a part-time job when they're both in full-time school, but as of yet, I'm not able to do so because I just don't have a village." The mum, who was in the middle of using TikTok to create income, said she made too much money on the app last month, which meant she didn't get a universal credit payment that left her behind on rent. She went on to ask people to follow and engage with her videos to help boost her money in a recent clip. Creators on TikTok can make money through TikTok's creator fund. TikTok bosses say: "The funds that each creator can earn are worked out by a combination of factors - including the number of views and the authenticity of those views, the level of engagement on the content, as well as making sure content is in line with our Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. No two creators or videos are the same, and there is no limit to the different kinds of content we will support with the fund. "The Creator Fund total varies daily and is dependent on the amount of videos published by our community that day - so this will fluctuate based on the amount of content being published." Sherene's clip went viral on her TikTok account @shercyrusx with over 122k views. Plenty of people took to comments to help support her and get rent paid. One person wrote: "Commenting so you get paid girly." Another commented: "Don't be embarrassed! Life sucks and brings us unpredictable circumstances!" "Get that money," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "Girl, you're on your way to paying your rent for the rest of the year." "Good luck and well done for trying your best,' claimed a fifth. Someone else added: "Go girl, always here to support."
Wales Online
41 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up latest as three more celebrities named
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up latest as three more celebrities named Three celebrities have been named as part of Strictly Come Dancing's 2025 line-up Strictly Come Dancing has unveiled three more celebrities set to compete in its upcoming 2025 season. The three new names join Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey who was confirmed on CBBC's Newsround. He will be joined by Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who were announced live on The One Show, on Monday August 11. First introduced was Dani Dyer, daughter of actor Danny Dyer who has starred in multiple films as well as as the Queen Vic's landlord on EastEnders. Dani herself is a TV personality, author, broadcaster, and mother of three. Her eclectic resume includes fronting documentaries such as Is This Anxiety?, co-hosting the podcast Live and Let Dyers with her father Danny, and appearing in travel series Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy. Dani has also made guest appearances on EastEnders and Celebrity Gogglebox. Dani Dyer is the second celebrity confirmed for Strictly's newest season (Image: BBC) Dani first rose to prominence after winning Love Island in 2018 and has since gathered more than three million social media followers. She is also a published author with her debut book What Would Dani Do? making the Sunday Times bestseller list. In May she married West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen. Speaking about joining Strictly Dani admitted it was "so hard" keeping the news from friends and family, revealing she's not a very good liar. Her parents are reportedly very excited for her. Reflecting on the experience Dani described the show as "such a fun and magical" opportunity and said being asked to participate is "an honour". She said: "Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second-most amazing thing I've done this year. I feel very, very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on " When asked if practising with her husband Jarrod was a way of preparing for the show Dani laughed, saying that while they did practice a few days before it certainly wasn't a proper routine. "I wanted a Dirty Dancing routine but that's not Jarrod," she joked. Dani admitted that learning the routine is one of her biggest causes of nerves but she's looking forward to the costumes, which she says "just make you feel like a princess". Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston was the next celebrity confirmed. Alex has enjoyed a career spanning more than four decades, gaining international recognition for her role as Dr Elizabeth Corday on ER, where she starred for eight years and won a Screen Actors Guild Award. Alex Kingston is getting ready to put her dancing shoes on (Image: BBC) However many will also recognise her as the iconic River Song, aka The Doctor's Wife, a role she has played alongside three different Doctors on screen, as well as in audio adventures and novels. Her extensive television work includes a Bafta-nominated performance in Moll Flanders, as well as roles in Douglas Is Cancelled, Treason, Gilmore Girls, Boudica, Lost in Austen, Dodger, A Discovery of Witches, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Arrow. On stage Alex's range includes Lady Macbeth, Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Prospero for the Royal Shakespeare Company, and many more. Speaking from a "secret location" in Italy while chatting with hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Scott Alex confessed she has long wanted to take part in Strictly. She revealed that seeing her friend and former colleague Sarah Hadland compete last year and "go all the way" inspired her to give it a try. Alex asked Sarah about her experience and was told honestly how challenging and overwhelming the competition can be but also how "lifechanging" it is. "I'm in my 60s so why not just go for it?" Alex said. Both Dani and Alex have planned to meet soon as they prepare for the show. Alex joked about her dance experience, saying 'my hips don't lie' and added: 'I am going to start practising in the kitchen". Joining them as the fourth celebrity is former professional footballer and manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Jimmy is best known for his prolific goal-scoring career in the Premier League and across Europe, having played for clubs including Leeds United, Atlético Madrid, and Chelsea. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is swapping the football pitch for the dancefloor (Image: BBC) Since retiring from football Jimmy has become a familiar face in punditry for major UK sports networks, managed clubs like Burton Albion and Northampton Town, and served as assistant coach for the England national team. Jimmy said of joining Strictly: "Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I've done before but I'm looking forward to tackling a fun challenge. Bring on a new type of footwork with hopefully no own goals." During his interview Jimmy joked about his participation as Alex expressed her utter shock. "A few years ago I'd have said the same," he said referencing Alex's time on the show. As a father of girls Jimmy shared that Strictly is part of their home life and said he was a fan of the show himself so he decided to give it a go. He admitted he has "a little bit of rhythm" but isn't sure what to expect, adding that he thinks a slower dance like the waltz might be his favourite. When Alex pointed out that the furthest a footballer has made it on Strictly is the quarter-finals Jimmy said that fuels his determination. "I am going to do my best – otherwise I'm going to have some serious stick at home." He joked it will be difficult to get England manager Gareth Southgate to watch the show but said dancing with a professional partner who knows the moves "10 times, 100 times better than you" is a real challenge – even more than playing in front of 60,000 or 70,000 football fans. The latest additions has been met with delight by fans as one commented: "It's just been confirmed that Alex Kingston is doing strictly come dancing and I apologise in advance because it's all I'm going to talk about for the next few months". Another added: "I think Danni Dyer is guna be awesome on strictly come dancing". A third fan said: "Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink going on Strictly Come Dancing! Just as well it wasn't Dancing on Ice!" In a surprise announcement earlier on Monday Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was confirmed as the first celebrity to participate in the show. Better known as Nitro to Gladiators fans, Harry is a multi-gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter. He became the first athlete to win gold in both the 100m and 200m at the World Youth Championships, won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005, and has since claimed gold in the 4x100m relay at both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was the first celebrity announced for this year's season of Strictly Come Dancing He has also competed in two Olympic Games, is a three-time European Champion, and a two-time Commonwealth Champion. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Harry is no stranger to the dancefloor as many fans may recognise him from last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. The Olympian delivered a high-energy street commercial routine to Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses, earning 38 out of 40 points from the judges alongside professional partner Nancy Xu. Speaking about joining Strictly Come Dancing, Harry said: "After the Christmas special it was so nice I just had to do it twice. Article continues below "I'm so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I'm ready to give it all I've got. I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dancefloor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track." The 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing is set to return this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Scottish Sun
41 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Emma Raducanu ‘asks for crying child to be EJECTED from stadium' in tense exchange with umpire and crowd agree
BABY SHAMBLES Emma Raducanu 'asks for crying child to be EJECTED from stadium' in tense exchange with umpire and crowd agree Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMA RADUCANU called for a crying child to be ejected from the stadium during her Cincinnati Open clash with Aryna Sabalenka. The British star was serving at a crucial point in the deciding third set, when cries from the crowd disrupted her focus. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Emma Raducanu was in action at the Cincinnati Open Credit: Getty THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
