BBC host Hazel Irvine forced to apologise live on air after Mark Allen slip-up | Other | Sport
The host of BBC‘s snooker coverage, Hazel Irvine, issued an apology to legendary commentator Dennis Taylor after forgetting his achievements on the baize while on air. The iconic Masters event is underway with the BBC covering the entire tournament live on TV. Irvine is once again presenting having long been the face of the Beeb’s broadcasts of Triple Crown events. But the 60-year-old broadcaster was left a little red in the face after accidentally forgetting about Taylor while discussing his compatriot Mark Allen.
After a video package about Allen played, Irvine referred to the 39-year-old as the second Northern Irish player ever to win the Masters. But she was wrong – forgetting about her BBC colleague and legendary commentator Taylor. After getting a message in her ear, Irvine added: “Mark Allen, the third player I am corrected, to win the Masters. How could I forget about Dennis Taylor? Sorry DT. Apologies.”
That led to playful “ooooohs” from both Stephen Hendry and John Parrott who were sat beside her in the BBC studio. And Irvine laughed: “I am in the bad books now!” Parrott then chimed in with: “[His] rich tea biscuit all over his television! I’m telling you he’s chucked it!
Irvine added: “I’ll buy you [Taylor] a drink in Sheffield then.” The trio were on duty to analyse 2018 champion Allen’s match against two-time winner Mark Williams. Northern Irishman Allen, the world No.10, initially trailed 2-1 to the Welshman, who is ranked fourth in the world.
But Allen rallied to win five frames in a row and secure a 6-2 victory. That books his spot in the quarter-finals where he will face either world No.1 and two-time titleist Judd Trump or Ding Junhui, the 2011 Masters champion.
After beating Williams, Allen conceded that he had been struggling with his health in the build-up to the tournament. He said: “It’s the best place we play all year. The atmosphere here is second to none so it’s always good to keep coming back.
“I felt comfortable which is weird. You know me, I’m a good practicer and I prepare properly for these events. But I couldn’t prepare for this at all. I was lying in bed all week with food poisoning. I thought to just go out and give it my best.
“I wouldn’t have had much left if it had have gone closer so I’m glad I got over the line when I did. I was always going to play, I just may have needed to wear a nappy for TV. It wasn’t a good week!
“I’m not getting carried away, it’s an 11th quarter-final but I’ve only won it once so I need to try and sort that out! This is as good a week as any to try and do that.”
