Celebrity appearance aids Jimmy White preparation

Jimmy White says his appearance in the ITV show I'm a Celebrity has helped him in his preparation for next month's Masters at Wembley.

The Londoner has been given a wildcard for the event, starting on 10 January and said: "I lost 22lb and that will be a real benefit to me in my snooker.

"Before there were some shots that I couldn't reach.

"I've always been one of the best players with the rest but I'd rather be able to reach the shot without it."

White missed the UK Championship qualifiers because of his participation in the programme and added: "I was thinking about snooker a lot and I was gutted to miss the UK.

"In one of the trials I had to do there was a snooker ball and that brought all the memories flooding back."

White gets his Masters campaign under way against Mark King and he said: "I've always had great support from the crowds at Wembley so I'm looking forward to getting back there and enjoying that.

"King is a tough competitor but if my game is there I can beat him.

"I totally deserved the wildcard because I've won two tournaments recently."

The 47-year-old also backed Barry Hearn's appointment as the new chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.

"Barry did a great job for snooker in the 1980s and I was lucky enough to be involved at the time. He's the best man for the job. He'll get a buzz going about the sport, like he has done in darts."