BROADCAST CUES

Murphy says being a BBC pundit alongside the legendary Steves won’t distract him

SHAUN MURPHY insists he can handle the pressure of trying to win another world title at the same time as being a pundit for the BBC.

Murphy will team up in his TV role with the likes of Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry (below) again at the Crucible while trying to win the World Championship for the second time.

There are plenty who believe Murphy and other current pros should focus on the playing side rather than being in the studio, with Mark Allen, Joe Perry, and Jack Lisowski also regulars in the commentary box.

But Murphy is adamant the BBC gig is not derailing his chances, despite a recent poor record in Sheffield.

“It’s one of those things that seems to get talked about so much,” he said.

“Opinions are like a***holes, everyone’s got one.

“I wouldn’t do anything that I felt was damaging to my own snooker career.

“I love working with the guys at the BBC. They’re a great team. It’s wonderful to be part of the event and to watch how these great broadcasters go about their business and just be involved in the event.

“The way to explain it to people who don’t really understand it is if I wasn’t doing the punditry, I’d just be sat in my hotel watching it.

“I may as well be stuck there having a coffee with Steve Davis, talking rubbish about snooker.”

Murphy’s punditry role will inevitably see the former UK Championship winner put in a position to criticise shots from his fellow pros.

But the 41-year-old – who won his only world crown in 2005 – believes snooker is currently in a good place.

Murphy said: “There are player issues all the time. There are things happening all the time that could be better. But I have to say the game’s in a great state. And it’s only positive for snooker that since the pandemic has gone, the Chinese market has come back. We’ve got new events being announced there next season. And we’ve had an almost full calendar out in China this season.

“Events like the Saudi Masters, which has led to a 10-year deal for a ranking event out in the Middle East, can only be great for snooker.

“I’d love to sit here and tell you that snooker is in a terrible position, but it’s not, it’s doing really well – and I’m feeling quite zen about it all.”