😢 'The Crucible will be retired before I retire from snooker.'

John Higgins gives a touching tribute to the World Championship's spiritual home and insists he's not quitting the sport despite recent rumours.

Ronnie O'Sullivan explains a bit more about his Saudi deal, why he couldn't turn it down and his thoughts on the human rights issue.

Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke about rumours that Mark Williams and John Higgins could join a breakaway snooker tour.

Asked about his future moves, he said: 'I want to have fun, I want to be looked after and pampered.'

Have you ever heard Ronnie O'Sullivan quite so bullish about his own achievements and ability? A clear desire that he wants to break even more boundaries in snooker and win world titles into his 50s.

Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'I don’t regard myself as the greatest of all time. Statistically I suppose I am.'

The Rocket trying his best to play these stats down ahead of his quest for more snooker history at the Crucible.

Competing in his 32nd successive World Championship, this is the first time Ronnie O'Sullivan has ever had the chance to win all three Triple Crown titles in one season.

It's been one of his greatest ever campaigns at the age of 48 and his stats have been incredible.

Snooker could do with a Luke Littler to kick-start a new class of 92 but the likes of Mark Williams and Robert Milkins can't see it happening. This is very honest and pretty worrying.

However, Shaun Murphy has a more positive outlook later on this video

All 19 first-time world champions have failed to defend their Crucible crown. Luca Brecel is the sixth to crash out in the opening round as David Gilbert came from 9-6 down to inflict the Crucible curse.

Ronnie O'Sullivan wants the World Championship to move to Saudi Arabia but others are divided.

MARK WILLIAMS M.B.E explains why he's done a 'u-turn' and now wants it to stay at the Crucible, but Shaun Murphy & Ali Carter feel it's time for change

As it's World Championship time again, here's all the Crucible 147 breaks ranked by speed.

Not that it's a race but just pause it when Ronnie O'Sullivan finishes his first maximum. It's still unfathomable all these years later.

Ronnie O'Sullivan in that lumberjack coat, John Higgins with his ID pass, Luca Brecel in his shades on a cloudy day. Snooker's stars in good spirits for more Crucible drama...

John Higgins, four-time world champion and one of the best players ever to pick up a cue, wearing his ID pass at the Crucible just in case. Very humble!

Ronnie O'Sullivan's outfit

Ronnie O'Sullivan trying to find his way to the Crucible for his 32nd World Championship campaign

At the age of 48, Ronnie O'Sullivan's fifth spell as world number one is now the longest of his career at 106 weeks. Remarkable.

In terms of total weeks at the top, he's still well behind Stephen Hendry. Amazing to think 416 of his 471 weeks was one reign from 1990-1998.

Incredible that Luke Littler has won all six meetings vs Luke Humphries since the World Championship final - and five of them were 6-5.

Chris Dobey survives two match darts in a deciding leg before conjuring up this 170 checkout!

Then a few hours later he goes on and wins the title

Mark Williams holds back the tears after winning seven frames in a row to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Tour Championship final. What an incredible achievement!

As good as Mark Williams has been to beat Judd Trump (10-4), Mark Allen (10-5) and Ronnie O'Sullivan (10-5), none of that would have been possible if it wasn't for this unbelievable break in the deciding frame against Tom Ford. Genius!

Mark Williams holds back the tears after winning seven frames in a row to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Tour Championship final. What an incredible achievement!