Mark Williams calls out BBC over major error on World Snooker Championship coverage

Mark Williams called out the BBC over an error made during the broadcast of his World Snooker Championship first round match against Si Jiahui.

'The Welsh Potting Machine' resumes his match on Tuesday afternoon, having taken a 5-4 lead at the conclusion of the first session.

Williams is one of the favourites to win the competition, having recently lifted the Tour Championship after beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final.

At 49, Williams has been playing some of the best snooker of his career leading up to the Crucible, although his position in the draw means he may have to beat Judd Trump in the quarter-final and O'Sullivan in the semi-final to lift the crown.

But his main priority will be to get beyond the first round, with top seeds Mark Selby, Gary Wilson, Ali Carter and reigning champion Luca Brecel all falling at the opening hurdle thus far.

After the first session of Williams' match, fans spotted an error on one of the graphics posted by BBC.

Instead of showing the Wales flag next to Williams' name, he had an English flag instead.

One fan tweeted the three-time world champion, writing: "Didn't realise you were English."

And Williams replied: "Cmon BBC ffs get the welsh dragon on there okease [ok easy]."

cmon bbc ffs get the welsh dragon on there okease

— MARK WILLIAMS M.B.E (@markwil147) April 22, 2024

Before the match against Si began, the 49-year-old almost broke into laughter when introduced to the arena by MC Rob Walker.

After introducing his 21-year-old opponent, Walker exclaimed: "His opponent, a player old enough to be his young rival's dad and boy, oh boy, is he flourishing into his late 40s."

Williams then racked up the opening two frames of the Crucible contest, but later found himself 4-3 behind as 2023 semi-finalist Si worked his way into the match.

But Williams took frames eight and nine to ensure he enters the second session with a narrow lead.