Talking Snooker

Nick and Phil are joined by journalist Richard Mann to look ahead to the World Championship. There's plenty of talk about qualifying, including the excitement of Judgement Day, where five debutants made it through to the Crucible. Plus there's a look ahead to every first round match to come in Sheffield, as Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his tournament defence. Plus Nick, Phil and Richard all select the player they think will lift the famous old trophy on May Day.

This episode is the fourth and final this season to be brought to you by Sporting Life, one of the UK’s leading sports betting and content websites. Please visit sportinglife.com/snooker for some fantastic content, including Richard Mann's betting previews ahead of the World Championship. There's the verdict of Neal Foulds on the top 16 seeds, a video preview with Peter Lines and Nick's exclusive interview with Ali Carter. Visit sportinglife.com/snooker for all that fantastic content and so much more.

*6 minutes - World qualifying

*31 minutes - World Championship first round preview

*One hour, 48 minutes - Tips for tournament winner

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Phil and Nick reflect on a brilliant victory for Shaun Murphy, who came back to beat Kyren Wilson to win the Tour Championship title. There's a review of the week as a whole, including the disappointing poor crowds. Plus a look ahead to World Championship qualifying, a dip into correspondence and a round-up of the other latest news, including John Virgo's future at the BBC.

*1 minute - Review of Tour Championship

*31 minutes - Your Views on poor crowds in Hull

*45 minutes - Preview of world qualifying

*52 minutes - More correspondence

*1 hour, 4 minutes - Any Other Business, including John Virgo staying with BBC

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Nick and Phil reflect on victory for Mark Selby at the Classic in Leicester and look ahead to the Tour Championship in Hull. There's also chat about the state of the game, following dramatic comments from Ronnie O'Sullivan and a response from WST chairman Steve Dawson. Keep your thoughts coming to us - tweet us at TalkingSnooker or email [email protected]

*3 minutes - Review of the Classic

*26 minutes - Tour Championship Preview

*51 minutes - State of the game, reacting to comments from Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve Dawson

*One hour, 20 minutes - Any Other Business

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Nick and Phil preview the Classic in Leicester, with plenty up for grabs including for a number of players a potential place in the Tour Championship. There's also a look back at Ding Junhui winning the Six Reds, your correspondence and a tribute to Vera Selby.

*2 minutes - Ding Junhui wins Six Reds

*10 minutes - Classic Preview

*31 minutes - Your Views

*One hour - Tribute to Vera Selby

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Colin Murray joins Nick and Phil to talk about his brilliant career and love of snooker. There's stories about growing up enjoying the sport, presenting snooker coverage on Eurosport and working alongside the likes of Neal Foulds, Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan. There's also talk of Colin's days on Radio 1, presenting Match of the Day 2 and his current dream job hosting Countdown. There's always a round-up of the other latest snooker news, including the Women's World Championship in Thailand.

*2 minutes - Colin on his career

*37 minutes - Colin on love of snooker and presenting on Eurosport

*One hour, four minutes: Correspondence for Colin

*One hour, 34 minutes - News round-up

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Phil and Nick reflect on a brilliant victory for Shaun Murphy at the Players Championship, after he saw off Ali Carter in the final in Wolverhampton. They are joined by the author Luke G Williams, who talks about his new book on one of snooker's great mythical characters, Patsy Houlihan. Keep your views coming to us - tweet us @TalkingSnooker or email [email protected]

*Four minutes - Players Championship review

*34 minutes - Luke G Williams on his Patsy Houlihan book

*One hour, nine minutes - News round-up, including latest on match fixing hearing

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Phil and Nick reflect on another fairytale story in snooker and a marvellous Welsh Open success for Robert Milkins. There's plenty of talk about an entertaining week overall in Llandudno. Plus the Players Championship draw, your correspondence and news of a very special guest to come soon.

*2 minutes - Milkins v Murphy Welsh Open final

*17 minutes - Welsh Open review

*46 minutes - Players Championship preview

*55 minutes - Any Other Business, including Dickie Davies tribute

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Nick and Phil welcome Jordan Brown to the podcast. There's plenty of chat about Jordan's days growing up discovering the game, his early days on tour and qualifying to play at the Crucible for the first time. And of course Jordan reflects at length about his unforgettable surprise success at the 2021 Welsh Open. There's also a look ahead to this year's tournament in Llandudno.

*2 minutes - Jordan Brown introduction

*17 minutes - Jordan on growing up and early career

*36 minutes - Jordan on Welsh Open glory in 2021

*57 minutes - Correspondence for Jordan

*One hour, two minutes - Welsh Open preview

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Phil and Nick reflect on a first ranking event success for seven years for Ali Carter, with victory at the German Masters in Berlin. There's plenty of chat about the tournament as a whole, with highlights including a last 16 place for Jimmy White, breaks of 146 and 147 for Robert Milkins and another hard luck story for Jack Lisowski. There's also a round-up of all the other latest snooker news, including 16-year-old Stan Moody winning himself a two year tour card. And we catch up with your correspondence, topics including Mark Allen's pace of play at the World Grand Prix, the fan experience at the Shoot Out and tournament sponsorship.

*2 minutes - German Masters final

*10 minutes - German Masters last 32 - semi-finals

*32 minutes - Stan Moody wins two year tour card

*35 minutes - Your Views

*One hour, 14 minutes - Any Other Business

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Nick and Phil are joined by one of the best referees in the game, Marcel Eckardt, to talk about his life and career in the sport. There's plenty of reflection on the Shoot Out, where Chris Wakelin claimed his first ranking title, and a look ahead to the German Masters. We also ask Marcel your many questions.

*2 minutes - Shoot Out Review

*23 minutes - Chat with Marcel about his career

*58 minutes - Correspondence for Marcel

*One hour, 22 minutes - Any Other Business

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