Top News

Mark Selby couldn't stop laughing after he was involved in a bizarre incident in the Championship League six years ago. The man from Leicester has since won the tournament on two occasions and is the defending champion heading into the 2026 edition. Before he claimed his first title, he struggled to get going with two runner-up finishes the closest he came to glory.

Back in 2019, the 42-year-old was facing Barry Hawkins when an unusual moment left everybody stunned. In the first frame of the match, Hawkins was lining up a long pot with the cue ball nestled behind the green at the opposite end of the baize. He needed the cross rest to make the shot, with referee Rob Spencer retrieving it from underneath the table.

As he was trying to lay the rest down, the front end slipped off and clattered down onto the playing surface. It sparked a fit of laughter from Selby, who was sitting in his chair awaiting his turn and clearly saw the funny side.

Spencer, meanwhile, ended up laughing out of embarrassment as Hawkins chuckled along as well. Both players were visibly stunned at the unexpected turn of events, which also drew laughter from the commentators.

"Ooh, we've had a bit of a malfunction there," said one commentator. "Thankfully nobody was injured but the rest has become detached from the rest of the equipment.

"Mark Selby loves that, look at him! Well, no harm done. This is what happened, it just fell off. It's been a long few days here. Barry is losing it here!"

Hawkins then attempted to compose himself in preparation for the shot, but was unable to keep calm and threw his head back and roared with laughter. He was heard saying: "I'm gone, I'm gone."

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page.

Selby, still watching on, also tried to keep a straight face but it was a futile endeavour as he continued to giggle in the background.

The commentator added: "Well, the Championship League can do this to you. He might need to take a moment here, Barry. The thing is, it's not even that funny, really. It's just unexpected."

Hawkins finally found enough composure to address the cue ball and played a brilliant recovery shot, spinning it into the opposite corner and knocking a red.

Selby was seen wiping his eyes as he rose from his chair to start his turn, with the commentator saying: "It's like he can't even stop himself from laughing. They're still going here.

"Who knew a piece of equipment could be so funny? The referee is struggling. It's the referee who is struggling the most here. He's in bits."

Hawkins bravely battled on in an attempt to win the frame but fouled on the yellow, handing first blood to Selby. However, the former ended up winning the match by three frames to one after recovering from his fit of laughter.