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The World Snooker Championship may have ended, but the Crucible hosts more action this weekend as the Seniors Championship rolls on. The sport's veteran stars have descended upon Sheffield for the well-loved tournament, which wraps up on Sunday.

It comes after a thrilling and dramatic main championship, which saw Wu Yize triumph over Shaun Murphy in a final-frame decider just under a week ago. The 22-year-old became only the second Chinese player to claim the title, following in the footsteps of Zhao Xintong, who lifted the trophy 12 months earlier. With snooker remaining firmly in the spotlight, Express Sport examines two of the biggest headlines currently circulating around the table.

Shaun Murphy not only suffered defeat in the World Snooker Championship final to Wu Yize but was also forced to surrender £94,000 of his prize money to the taxman. The Englishman secured a share of the 2026 prize pot, which totalled just under £2.4million.

The 43-year-old initially pocketed £200,000 as runner-up, while Wu claimed £500,000. However, the Englishman will be left with merely £106K after 53% of his earnings were deducted for tax. The world champion will see £235K collected by the government, leaving him with just over a quarter of a million (£265K).

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Murphy had seen off two former champions en route to the final, eliminating Zhao in the quarter-finals before producing a semi-final for the ages against John Higgins. Despite suffering this twin setback, the Englishman remained gracious in defeat, paying tribute to Wu following his triumph.

He said: "I'd like to be the first to congratulate Wu Yize and his family, and everyone around him for being a wonderful world champion. I hate being right - I said sometime earlier in the season when we had a great game out in China somewhere, I won that one but I came out afterwards and said that he would be world champion one day.

"It's just a real shame that it was today, but I couldn't have given it any more, I couldn't have tried harder. I played the best shots I could have played and I didn't get my chance. I couldn't do any more than that."

Jimmy White has told snooker players who have criticised the Crucible hosting the World Seniors Championship to 'get a life.' The prestigious tournament had not taken place at the legendary venue since 2019, with Dave Gilbert among those voicing opposition to the decision.

He said: "It's a special place. It's brilliant that it's [World Snooker Championship] staying there, you know. It's a travesty for any professional that doesn't get to play there, it is a special place. I hate that they play the Seniors there. I think that's shocking.

"The only people that should play at the Crucible are people that go through this qualifying school or a top 16 professional. It's not for hacking around in exhibitions. It's the Mecca of snooker."

White was far from impressed by this remark and fired back with a passionate response of his own. The 64-year-old told The Metro: "Get a life! Listen, this is why we're here. Why not?

"It's a World Championship, the World Seniors. I don't know why people would say that. It don't make any sense."

Ken Doherty found himself sympathetic to both sides of the argument but feels the World Seniors ought to remain in Sheffield for the foreseeable future. He added: "I know what he means, but listen, why not? I know it's the home of the World Championship, but it can be the home of the World Seniors Championship as well.

"It's a special event, so why not? It's hard to get tickets for the World Championship. It's a little bit easier for this, but still, there's been great crowds and the atmosphere is electric. No, I think it's a great idea to have it here."