BBC Sport journalist at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Zhao Xintong is just one frame away from becoming the first player from China to win the World Championship after extending his lead to 17-8 over Mark Williams in the final.
The 28-year-old, who is aiming to become the first amateur to triumph at the Crucible, led 11-6 overnight and was able to take three of the first four frames available on Monday to go 14-7 ahead at the mid-session interval.
And when he compiled a break of 52 to win the next, Zhao looked on course to win his second successive match with a session to spare and would record the biggest winning margin in a world final since Stephen Hendry defeated Jimmy White 18-5 in 1993.
Three-time winner Williams averted that possibility, briefly rallying to ensure the contest would at least extend to Monday evening with a break of 66 to get back to 15-8.
However, the Welshman, 50, who is the oldest ever finalist in Sheffield, was unable to make any further inroads.
His Chinese opponent, who was just three years-old when Williams won his first world crown in 2000, capitalised on a missed red to the left middle with a 66 break and cleared up again after Williams failed to drop in a red to the right corner to move on to the brink of a historic victory.
Zhao, who won the UK Championship in 2021 but then served a 20-month ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal which rocked the sport, is hoping to join Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy as the only qualifiers to capture snooker’s biggest prize since the tournament’s 1977 move to Sheffield.
He would also earn the £500, 000 top prize and climb to 11th in the world rankings when he returns to the main professional tour next season.
This video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
It’s been a tumultuous few years for the Royal Family – illness, death, and rifts have all taken centre stage in discussions about them for a long time. The biggest of all has been the animosity between Prince Harry and the rest of his family – so we want to know, do you think Harry and the Royal Family will ever heal their rift?
Do you think Harry and the Royal Family will ever heal their rift?(Image: Getty Images)
Since announcing that they would ‘step back from Royal duties’ in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made it very clear that a rift between them and the rest of the Royal Family – known as The Firm – has been ever-growing and ever-present.
After making this announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the UK and have been making various attempts to create their own brand separate from the rest of the Royals.
Through various interviews, podcast, charitable projects, and most recently Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand and Netflix show, Harry and Meghan have tried over and over again to make a name for themselves apart from the Royal family, while at times being criticised for still holding onto their royal titles despite stepping back.
Meghan has launched her own lifestyle brand, As Ever(Image: Netflix)
The most recent part of the Harry-Firm rift saga involves Prince Harry’s ongoing court case about the security he expects while in the UK.
This court case involved Prince Harry attempting to reverse the decision to have security downgraded since he stepped back from being an ‘active’ royal. Harry has on many occasions expressed his safety concerns about his family, and has made it clear that this is the reason why he does not travel to the UK with his wife and two children on the occasions he does travel here.
Article continues below
Last week, the Prince was yet again not granted his request for armed police protection, which is given to his father King Charles and wife Queen Camilla, as well as to Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales.
Not long after the Court of Appeal gave their judgment that Prince Harry would not be granted taxpayer-funded, armed police protection when visiting the UK, he gave a 30-minute interview with the BBC which reportedly angered many members of his family.
During this interview, Prince Harry described the judgment as ‘devastating’, and said that his father King Charles ‘refuses to speak with him’. He also added that he ‘doesn’t know how much longer’ the King has [to live].
He explained: “Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things. But you know, I would love reconciliation with my family. I’ve always, there’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”
The Prince added that ‘it would be nice to reconcile’, because ‘life is precious’.
Meghan Markle showed her support for her husband by posting a family photo just a few hours after Prince Harry’s interview last Friday on her Instagram account. The black and white picture shows Prince Harry and his two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in the garden of their California home.
After the bombshell interview, Buckingham Palace responded, saying they had ‘repeatedly and meticulously’ examined issues with Prince Harry’s security arrangements.
They said: “All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.”
Palace sources say ‘nothing will distract’ King Charles from VE Day celebrations, amid Prince Harry’s bombshell interview(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
During the BBC interview, Prince Harry told the BBC that he hadn’t asked his father, King Charles, to intervene in the decision, saying he had instead asked him to “step out”.
As for other reactions to the interview, Royal sources have said that as well as the King, Prince William has ‘no incentive’ to speak to Harry, citing ‘a major trust issue’.
Frankie Dettori says he is “super excited” by plans to launch a global jockeys’ league for flat racing next year which could potentially see him race in the UK again.
The 54-year-old is among 12 riders poised to take part in the venture, which will see them compete for points under their own individual team branding.
The league is set be held across 10 events at some of the most prestigious racecourses around the world.
Dettori, a mainstay of the British and European flat racing scene for 37 years but who is now based in the United States, has been signed up to take part along with British riders Ryan Moore and William Buick.
“It’s a project they have been working on for a few months and I am super excited,” said Dettori, who has ridden more than 3,300 winners during his career.
“It will appeal to a worldwide audience – especially after the ‘Race For The Crown’ Netflix series – and I can’t wait to get started.”
James McDonald, Joao Moreira and Christophe Lemaire are also among the other elite riders to have joined up.
Mickael Barzalona, Yutaka Take, Irad Ortiz Jr, Flavien Prat, Zac Purton and Vincent Ho have also been slated to take part.
The league has been co-founded by former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson and Lachlan Fitt, previously chief financial officer at betting group Entain Australia.
Fitt said the league will seek to “compliment the existing global racing calendar” and they will be aiming for league events to be held “in close proximity to the major racing carnivals across the world”.
“It is still early days in our conversations with potential host venues and we are a number of months away from finalising plans in relation to what a launch season could look like.
“We’re hopeful there will be a number of opportunities for the league to be racing in the UK in the first 12 months.”
Dettori stopped riding in the UK in 2023 but has continued his career in the USA.
Singer Lily Allen turned 40 years old last week and celebrated her special day with her closest friends and family
Lily Allen alludes to ‘tricky circumstances’ as she celebrates 40th birthday
Lily Allen made sure to thank her friends for helping her celebrate her birthday under ‘tricky circumstances’ following her split from David Harbour. The Smile singer, who turned 40 last week, split from the Stranger Things actor last year and entered a treatment centre earlier this year in order to process the breakdown of her marriage.
In March, Lily opened up about the split for the first time during a live recording of her podcast at the Hackney Empire in London, telling the crowd: “I am not over it. I am sort of running away. Maybe I will have a nervous breakdown.” Following their split, it was also claimed their relationship broke down due to him ” cheating” on the songstress with a costume designer he met on a film set.
READ MORE: Discounted Ninja outdoor oven pizza is ‘better than takeaway’ say shoppers
Lily celebrated with her friends and family(Image: instagram.com/roseboyt)
It was claimed that the relationship between David and the costume designer lasted three years, with him allegedly paying for her to fly out to Australia when he was filming Stranger Things. He was also reportedly spotted on a celebrity dating app during his marriage to Lily.
While working through a tough few months, Alfie singer Lily celebrated her milestone 40th birthday with her closest friends and family by her side.
The star enjoyed an intimate party in her backyard with her loved ones as they feasted on delicious food, a gorgeous birthday cake, endless drinks and more. In pictures shared online, the guests were seen sitting at dinner tables set up in a backyard.
Article continues below
Lily recently split from husband David Harbour(Image: Getty Images)
Among the guests at her intimate party were fashion designers Kim Jones OBE and Katie Hillier, close pal and podcast co-host Miquita Oliver, Phoebe Oliver, Gracie Allen and chef Andi Oliver.
Following her party, Lily thanked her friends in a post shared on Instagram. Along with a picture of a cake, she said: “Thank you to all my beauty friends and family who showed up for me and made my birthday a special one under some tricky circumstances. Love you all.”
David recently talked about his personal life in a new chat. . The New York native revealed that recently, he had let himself go “physically and emotionally.”
It came just hours after he confirmed their split after ditching his wedding ring on the red carpet at the premiere for the Marvel movie, Thunderbolts.
David said: “I can go to these dark places.” He also found solace in Buddhist monks he first met when he went through a rough period in his thirties, and still goes to see them every couple of years. “You just talk about life,” he said of his time at the monastery in Escondido, California.
However, he hasn’t been to the monastery in the past few years as “things have been busy” for him. When prompted directly about his split from Lily, David gave a two-word response. “Oh boy,” he commented. But he later opened up about his reasoning for remaining silent.
“I’m protective of the people and the reality of my life,” he said. He added to GQ Magazine that he didn’t see the point in engaging with the interest surrounding the split as it had been based on “hysterical hyperbole.”
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Le Creuset iconic rainbow mugs below £8 in deal cheaper than Amazon Prime Day
King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a spectacular flypast – and one expert believes it sent a subtle message to Prince Harry
King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family send a message to Prince Harry during their major balcony appearance at VE Day commemorations, according to an expert. Senior royals waved to thousands of people from the Buckingham Palace balcony as a Red Arrows flypast continued the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The King and Queen, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, watched on with tilted heads as the VE Day flypast soared over. The commemorations come just days after Harry told the BBC his father will not speak to him and he does not know how much longer the King has left.
READ MORE: Prince Louis teases older brother George with hair flick at VE Day parade – leaving royal fans laughing
The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of VE Day commeorations (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
However the King and Queen were said to be “looking forward” to the week’s events, and it is understood that, out of respect for the surviving veterans, Buckingham Palace hopes “nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries”.
And according to body language expert Judi James, the balcony appearance symbolised the royals’ resilience. She told the Mirror: “Royal balcony moments always show the Firm at their highest status best, standing in a position of ultimate power as a strong family unit while looking down on the massed crowds of their subjects, all cheering wildly to show their support.
So, the symbolism of this appearance could hardly have been more timely given the latest verbal pelting to have come from Montecito. This confident, stoic appearance suggested high levels of the kind of resilience that the Royal Family are always known for.”
Article continues below
The King chats to his eldest son Prince William (Image: PA)
Meanwhile, Judi also noted several subtle gestures that behind the scenes, the Firm is looking out for each other, especially when it comes to siblings. She noted: “During one moment on the balcony Princess Anne, who had been chatting to her brother in a strong display of unity during the fly-past, seemed to notice that Charles was waving to go indoors before the anthem had been played.
“Placing a hand out to pat him affectionately on the back, she seemed to warn him so he could turn and get into position. It was a gesture that suggested Anne is quietly keeping an eye on her brother.
“Another sibling who was surprisingly keep an eye on their brother at the other end of the balcony was, surprisingly, Louis. When the anthem was played, he stood to attention like his sister, but he suddenly turned to check out his older brother George behind him.
Prince Harry in an explosive interview last week (Image: BBC)
Article continues below
“George was caught with his hands still clasped in front of his body and, in a complete turn-around, it was the normally playful Louis who seemed to quickly correct him before turning back. George, 11, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, were last seen together in public at the Christmas Day church service on the Sandringham Estate.
Louis, who during past public appearances has stolen the show, did not disappoint royal fans and was seen at one moment sticking out his tongue – a trademark gesture for the young royal. He also held William’s gold aiguillettes, the braided loops hanging from the shoulder of his RAF uniform, and appeared to touch his father’s shoulder again, and also held out his hands palms up as if he was testing for rain, which later fell.
Essex batter Jordan Cox will have a scan on Tuesday to determine the seriousness of a side injury that could rule him out of England’s Test squad to play Zimbabwe.
Cox, 24, retired hurt on 103 on day three of Essex’s defeat by Somerset with a left side issue.
He walked off after reaching three figures, having sustained the injury playing a shot moments earlier, and did not field when the match concluded on Monday.
“We all heard the moment it happened when he gave a cry after playing a shot,” said Essex director of cricket Chris Silverwood.
A serious diagnosis would be a cruel blow to Cox, who was set to make his Test debut last year against New Zealand only to break a thumb in the build-up to the first Test.
“Jordan doesn’t seem to have much luck when it comes to England call-ups, but his century here on a testing pitch showed just what a good player he is,” former England coach Silverwood said.
“His time will come.”
Cox’s century against Somerset was his second in the County Championship this season – he also made 82 against Nottinghamshire – but, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith available again after paternity leave, the right-hander was effectively in England’s squad as the spare batter.
Jacob Bethell impressed after being called up for Cox in New Zealand, making fifties in each of the three Tests. He would have kept his place in the squad but is at the Indian Premier League and will not be recalled.
If Cox is ruled out, England will have to decide whether it is worth calling up a replacement.
Durham’s 20-year-old opener Ben McKinney is highly-rated but missed his side’s Championship match at Hampshire this week with a back spasm.
Somerset’s Tom Banton is another who fits England’s aggressive mould. He has not made more than 26 in seven innings since beginning the season with an epic 371 against Worcestershire.
