BBC pundit apologises live on air for brutal dig at colleague during World Snooker Championship
KEN DOHERTY apologised after making a brutal dig at Stephen Hendry during the World Snooker Championship.
The pundit suggested that Hendry is stingy with his money as he discussed the pocket sizes at the Crucible.
Doherty, 54, was on punditry duty to analyse Ronnie O’Sullivan‘s round two clash with Ryan Day.
As the Rocket made an impressive 123 break in the opening frame, Doherty fired off his jibe.
Live on the BBC, Doherty said: “I think the pocket size – because these are a brand new batch of tables that we’ve been using since last season and since the start of the season back last September.
“The players are saying that the pocket sizes have changed and they seem a little bit tighter.
“But that may not be a bad thing – it means you have to be a little bit more accurate.
“And sometimes the players will complain if the pockets were too big because it’s a bit of a leveller so I think the pocket sizes are right.
“We saw from the first frame, we saw a beautiful century, but if you’re not accurate enough they will stay out and I think that’s the way it should be.
“They’re almost as tight as Stephen Hendry’s pockets.”
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The Irishman then quickly apologised for his comment about the seven-time world champion.
He added: “No, they’re not that tight. Sorry Stephen.”
Doherty won his one and only world title in 1997 when he beat Hendry 18-12 in the final.
He missed out on the chance to claim back-to-back titles when John Higgins beat him in the final in 1998.
Hendry also works for the BBC as a pundit during the World Snooker Championship.
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