DAVID GILBERT was “off my nut” when Luca Brecel sensationally became King of Sheffield last year.
But the Angry Farmer claims World Snooker Tour have failed to promote the brilliant Belgian Bullet over the past 12 months.
GettyDavid Gilbert was ‘off my nut’ watching the World Championship final last year[/caption]
GettyHe believes chiefs have not done enough to promote winner Luca Brecel[/caption]
Despite a difficult year in his private life, Gilbert, 42, qualified for the Crucible on Wednesday night, his tenth appearance at the world championships.
He will play at 10am on Saturday morning against the defending champion, which was a nightmare draw as he wanted a few days off.
Yet he feels Brecel, 29, should have been given more recognition by the governing body on social media and billboards – compared to the coverage awarded to the likes of Jack Lisowski and Stan Moody.
Gilbert said: “You’re all hyping Jack Lisowski every day and the guy hasn’t even won it. He gets more coverage than Luca still.
“I find that unbelievable how World Snooker give Lisowski so much focus. I like Jack. He’s a great player and he’s lovely to watch.
“But we’ve got a boy here, who’s the loveliest kid in the world and has maximum flair.
“He spends all his money. Lives like a playboy. He plays the game how kids want to play.
“He should be the main focus of everything.
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“I don’t watch snooker but I watched last year’s World Championship on my mate’s sofa as it happens. A bit off my nut, but I watched it.
“I never really sit and watch snooker. Certainly not for the two weeks. I bombed out early, it was absolutely shocking.
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“My mate said: ‘I’m going to make you watch this for two weeks.’
“What Luca did last year was by far the greatest snooker thing I’ve ever seen. It was incredible.
“He beat the best players. He beat a kid from far behind. How did that even happen? He did it his way and it was brilliant to see.
“I’d love moments like that. But I don’t have Luca’s power. If I had his dough, I could probably spend the same levels as him.
“How World Snooker haven’t had that boy as the main focus for every comp this year, I have no idea.
“That’s nothing against Jack or anyone else.
“I remember there was this table which had a face on it of this young lad, Stan Moody, this little Shaun Murphy lookalike.
“Nothing against Stan but what are World Snooker doing? How is the kid on a picture of all champions? I didn’t even know who he was. Luca Brecel is the boy.”
A World Snooker Tour spokesperson said: “We include a wide range of players in our content, often focussing on the best up-and-coming talent.
“Last summer we invested significant resource in a special feature on Luca Brecel, shot on location in Belgium, including an interview inside his Ferrari.
“We have run many other pieces of content about Brecel throughout the season including interviews and highlights videos.
“And he is front and centre of our artwork going into the Cazoo World Championship.”
Winners of the World Championship
The last 10 champions:
2023: Luca Brecel
2022: Ronnie O’Sullivan
2021: Mark Selby
2020: Ronnie O’Sullivan
2019: Judd Trump
2018: Mark Williams
2017: Mark Selby
2016: Mark Selby
2015: Stuart Bingham
2014: Mark Selby