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John Parrott announces retirement from competitive snooker

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Parrott has called time on his competitive snooker career (Taka G Wu/Alamy Live News)

John Parrott has announced his retirement from competitive snooker after defeat by Nigel Bond in the World Seniors Championship.

Exactly 31 years to the day since he was crowned World champion, one of snooker’s most popular characters has called time on a playing career spanning almost four decades.

But his association with the game will continue in his role as a television pundit and commentator.

Parrott, who was beaten 3-0 by Bond at the Crucible on Friday, turned professional in 1983 and would go on to win nine ranking titles, while spending 14 successive seasons in the world’s top 16.

The Liverpudlian’s finest moment came when he donned the Crucible crown in 1991 after beating Jimmy White 18-11 in the final.

Parrott also overcame White in the UK Championship showpiece a few months later, and remains one of only six players to land snooker’s two biggest ranking titles during the same calendar year.

The former world number two eventually retired from the professional ranks in 2010, but has since been a regular feature on the Seniors circuit.

Parrott, who turns 58 on Wednesday, received a standing ovation after making his announcement at the Crucible, where he also paraded the World Championship trophy one final time after being presented with it by wife Karen.

“This circuit’s going to do good things and there are lots of good players like Nigel coming off the circuit who are going to play in this,” he said.

“We want to see it being competitive, and I don’t want to take someone’s place up who deserves it more than I do.

“I first came here as a 14-year-old boy. I came with my father and I walked into the Crucible Theatre and said: ‘that’s what I want to do.’ Nobody knows what they want to do when they’re 14. This wonderful venue did it for me.

“I just wanted to finish here. [Nigel has] been my pal for a long, long time; he’s one of the nicest men you’ll ever meet, so it was great to go out to Nigel.

“I’ve had a great run. It’s been a fantastic journey; I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Elsewhere, seven-time World champion Stephen Hendry also bowed out of the tournament after going down 3-0 against an inspired Lee Walker, who hit breaks of 121 and 63 along the way.

Jimmy White was a commanding 3-0 winner over Egyptian Wael Talaat. The three-time World Seniors champion snatched the opening frame with a neat 38 clearance, while further runs of 67 and 79 sealed the deal.

Reigning champion David Lilley’s title defence got off to a shaky start as he was forced to recover from 2-0 down to beat Philip Williams 3-2.

Tournament favourite Michael Holt defeated Darren Morgan 3-1 – the same scoreline that 1997 Crucible king Ken Doherty overcame Wayne Cooper.

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World Seniors Championship 2022 Results

Friday May 6

Last 16

David Lilley 3-2 Philip Williams
Ken Doherty 3-1 Wayne Cooper
Stephen Hendry 0-3 Lee Walker
Michael Holt 3-1 Darren Morgan
Jimmy White 3-0 Wael Talaat
John Parrott 0-3 Nigel Bond