The BBC starts the build-up for the Betfair World Snooker Championships at The Crucible tonight with a series of specialist programming.
BBC Radio 5 Live will air Ronnie’s Return this evening, featuring an exclusive interview with the current World Champion, who’s been on a 6 month break from the game, but plans to defend his title.
The television coverage of the event, produced by IMG, will be hosted by Hazel Irvine, alongside Jason Mohammed. Mohammed has previously presented the BBC’s Six Nations coverage, a number of FA Cup finals and Joe Calzaghe’s career-defining fight with Bernard Hopkins.
They’ll be joined by players, Steve Davis, John Parrott, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Terry Griffiths, Dennis Taylor, Willie Thorne and John Virgo.
“BBC Sport is once again delighted to showcase the biggest event in snooker, and we are looking forward to delivering another year of the highest quality multiplatform coverage to our audiences. We’re also very pleased to welcome Jason Mohammad to our World Championship presenting team, alongside the ever-popular Hazel Irvine,” said Philip Bernie, BBC’s head of TV Sport.
Programming will begin on Saturday on BBC Two and BBC Two HD, along with further coverage on the Red Button, online and via the BBC Sport App.
Late last month, World Snooker confirmed that Betfair would be the headline sponsor for this year’s event, after its contract with Betfred ended last year.
