BBC viewers complain after 'odd' World Snooker Championship coverage

fans were left upset with the BBC after the "odd" decision not to use as part of their punditry or commentary teams for the final session of the . The Scot's insight proved popular during the tournament, but he was neither in the studio nor the commentary box as Zhao Xintong .

Instead, and Dennis Taylor talked viewers through the action. During breaks in the action, presenter Hazel Irvine was joined by Steve Davis and John Parrott, with the omission of Hendry, 56, leaving viewers baffled.

"No Stephen Hendry on the BBC today is an odd one," wrote heaph93 on X. @WhereCue added: "Shaun Murphy must have Stephen Hendry tied up in the broom cupboard to get to commentate on the final!"

@GrCorking made a similar joke, saying: "I'm guessing Shaun Murphy has locked Stephen Hendry in the toilets to nab his spot." @geraintsays asked: "What happened to Stephen Hendry?"

@davehill_56 argued the Beeb had omitted their best pundit, writing: "Can't believe Hendry wasn't on tonight either in the studio but especially on comms. He's been head and shoulders (above the rest) on the BBC over the tournament."

Seven-time world champion Hendry began his punditry career after his second retirement from professional snooker in 2012. He's since established a reputation for offering shrewd analysis as well as candid opinions.

Prior to the final, he'd correctly predicted that Zhao would prevail over Williams. Asked for his prediction, he said: "It's difficult, I think Xintong. I think he's scoring too heavily and winning too many frames in a row."

He's been full of praise for fellow icon Williams throughout the tournament, though. During his semi-final win over described the 50-year-old as "my hero" for the way he was defying eyesight problems to keep competing at an elite level.

Express Sport have contacted the BBC for comment.