Snooker / David Hendon / 06 January 2010 /

Jimmy White's selection wildcard for the Wembley Masters is based not just on his popularity at the London venue but his new found fame as a reality TV star. White finished third on ITV's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here last month but will next week swap eating grubs for what he still does best: potting balls. David Hendon reports.

Jimmy White won the Masters title 26 years ago. He hardly represents snooker's future but he can still draw a crowd. His huge army of supporters have an emotional connection to the Whirlwind, born out of following his rollercoaster career full of bittersweet moments, none more disappointing than his six defeats in the World Championship final.

He has gone from Crucible to cubicle and the soulless atmosphere of the Prestatyn qualifying school where crowds are small and reputations count for nothing. However, in front of the cameras White can still play. His ranking has plummeted to 62 in the latest list but he has won two televised tournaments in the last six months - the Six Reds Grand Prix in Bangkok and the Prague leg of the World Series. These events didn't carry ranking points and fell largely under the radar but they were proof that White's competitive spirit remains strong.

And if he is going to do well anywhere it will be at Wembley where he has made more appearances - 26 - and played in more matches - 60 - than any other player. He has reached the semi-finals 11 times, most recently in 2005, and the roar of the London crowd, a traditionally vociferous bunch, clearly inspires him.

White's first round opponent, Mark King, the world no.16, plays a tough and determined game. Not a heavy scorer but a sound tactical player, King beat White 6-5 at the corresponding stage of the Masters in 1999. Betfair has King the [1.53] favourite with White a [2.62] shot. White is a 180.0 outsider for the title. These odds reflect current form but, back in a big arena, it's not impossible that some of the old magic will return.

The decision to award White the wildcard has gone down badly with many of his fellow players who feel his chance has come and gone. But it has created publicity for the tournament and will bring hordes of fans through the doors, which is what wildcards are supposed to achieve. Barry Hearn, professional snooker's gregarious new leader, summed it up best in the Guardian earlier this week. He said: "Has he got it on his snooker ability? No, not particularly, he's a jungle man. Will he get it next year? Probably not. Can he play? Yeah. Does he fancy it? Yeah. Will it be a sell-out? Yeah. Everyone's happy."

With his jungle foray, White has entered the world of celebrity and it may be in this sphere that he makes his money in the coming years rather than at the snooker table. But he has earned his right to trade on his past through a memorable career full of electrifying snooker, numerous ups, just as many downs and, throughout it all, his impeccable sportsmanship.

When Stephen Hendry cleared up to beat him 18-17 in the 1994 world final - the sixth he had lost and fifth in succession - White quipped: "He's beginning to annoy me." It was typical of the gracious nature that lay beneath the loveable rogue persona.

The public warm to that and punters of a nostalgic nature are likely to back White again this weekend. The Masters of all tournaments on the circuit is where he is most worthy of their support.

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