Shaun Murphy says he decided to step away from punditry and commentary work after failing to agree on new terms with the BBC.
The Magician has worked on multiple Triple Crown events for the broadcaster in recent years, both in the studio and the commentary box.
However, he has not been involved this season, turning up at the sport’s biggest events just with a cue rather than a microphone.
The 43-year-old says it was not a decision made in order to focus more on his snooker, but instead that he could not come to an agreement on terms with the BBC.
‘No, nothing to do with trying to prepare properly for the tournament,’ Murphy explained on why he will not be working with the world famous broadcaster at the Crucible.
‘We were in negotiations with the powers-that-be and we couldn’t come to an agreement on terms. So I decided it wasn’t for me at the previously agreed rate, it was nothing more than that.
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‘It’s a big commitment. It’s not without its troubles, especially if you’re trying to compete in the tournament.
‘I’ve always felt like I managed that quite well. I went to the UK [Championship] this year and the Masters, not on the broadcasting team. It was my choice and it’s my choice again this year.’
Murphy had faced questions on whether he was damaging his chances in an event by also working in the media during it. He was also asked if he felt it was something of a conflict of interest when commentating on his rivals.
‘I never thought it was a conflict in the first place, to be honest,’ he said. ‘I used to get trolled every day for it. “You shouldn’t be commentating if you’re in the actual tournament.”
‘I hope the other players that followed in my footsteps have received the same abuse. There’s plenty more doing it now. I feel like I was the gatekeeper for that. A few others have followed in my footsteps.
‘I loved my moments in the box, in the studio, watching a legend like Hazel Irving up close, learning off her, watching how she does things.
‘Great afternoons and evenings spent with JV, listening to him and watching how he went about his work. Jesus, we had some laughs in that comms box off air. I remembered to turn the mic off, unlike a few of his colleagues before who got themselves into trouble. We had some great laughs.’
Murphy gets his latest World Championship campaign underway on Monday evening against Fan Zhengyi.
The 25-year-old will be making his third appearance at the Crucible but is yet to win a match at the iconic theatre.
The Chinese star did look impressive in qualifying, though, beating Lan Yuhao 10-3, Jimmy Robertson 10-4 and Ben Mertens 10-4.