Snooker fan collapses live on BBC during World Championship coverage
A snooker fan fainted live on the BBC on Thursday afternoon during the World Championship quarter-finals at the Crucible, but was soon back on his feet and appeared to be fine
The snooker fan, wearing sunglasses, fainted during a segment broadcast live on Thursday afternoon
(Image: BBC )
A snooker supporter suddenly fainted during a live BBC broadcast at the World Championship quarter-finals, prompting half a dozen audience members to rush over and check on him.
The man, who had been watching a segment highlighting elite female players, was back upright shortly afterward and reportedly only required a large glass of water, having been affected by heat and dehydration on an unseasonably warm day in Sheffield.
Dressed in a blue tee, he was seen breathing heavily and touching his forehead while Welsh presenter Abigail Davies was in conversation with top women's snooker figures Daisy May Oliver and Hannah Jones at the Winter Gardens.
Moments later, he slumped to his right and collapsed. Spectators nearby moved swiftly to help, and host Hazel Irvine later gave a reassuring update live on-air.
"It's certainly hot here in the Winter Gardens," Irvine said, via the Mirror. "You might have seen earlier on when Abi was interviewing some of the top women players in the game, there was a little incident behind her.
"A gentleman fainted. He's absolutely fine, just a wee bit dehydrated. He's now been given a very large glass of water and an ice cream. Everything is A-OK."
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Fellow spectators look on as the man falls to the ground
(Image: BBC )
The clip was shown during Thursday's quarter-final coverage, with John Higgins leading Mark Williams 5-3 in a clash between two seasoned players. Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong had pulled ahead 6-2 against Chris Wakelin in their initial session.
That afternoon, Ronnie O'Sullivan was scheduled to take on Si Jiahui, and Luca Brecel was set to challenge Judd Trump, the current world No. 1. The remaining matches were due to pick up again in the evening, all aiming for 13-frame victories.
If O'Sullivan manages to win his match, he could then meet Zhao Xintong or Chris Wakelin in the semi-finals. Zhao has returned after serving a 20-month suspension for match fixing, and previously held the UK Championship title.
The fan is reportedly OK after fainting at the Winter Gardens
(Image: BBC )
O'Sullivan, however, shrugged off the idea that his path to the final might be easier than expected. "Not really. I mean I've played this so many times and the draw opens up and you get beat," he said.
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"That one loses, that one wins. The guy that wins it is usually the guy that deserves to win it. So, it doesn't really matter what happens to the draw."
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