John Higgins blasts BBC as proud Scottish snooker legend labelled English by broadcasters

Proud Scot John Higgins has slammed the BBC for mistaking him for ENGLISH at the Betfred World Championship.

The host broadcaster inexplicably placed an England flag alongside the Scottish all-time great’s name in a pre-match graphic for his first-round match with Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

Wishaw Wizard Higgins kicked off his bid for a magical fifth Crucible crown with a decent 10-7 win over the talented Thai potter.

And when shown the embarrassing flag gaffe, which was shown on live TV, Higgins almost cost himself a £250 quid fine for swearing.

“England?!” Exclaimed shocked Scot Higgins. “Am I allowed to swear?

“God, they better get that changed pronto.

“That’s poor isn’t it? That’s really poor from the BBC, very poor.”

Higgins resumed 5-4 down after the first session on Tuesday.

The all-conquering veteran left himself feeling “numb” after a potentially crucial mistake, when he went in-off the black, allowed Thepchaiya to close to 8-7.

Higgins, 46, used all of his experience to come through a tricky Thai test.

“I didn’t lose any sleep at being 5-4 behind overnight,” stressed Higgins, hit breaks of 128, 106, 100, 98, 75, 65 and 53 in a sharp first-round showing.

“I hope Jamie doesn’t mind me saying it but I had my Jamie Burnett moment when I screwed in off the black.

“At that moment I felt numb. It was as if someone came and took me out of my own body.

“That’s when some crazy thoughts go through your mind and you wonder if you’re still playing this game anymore.

“I’m delighted I stood up a little bit at the end there to get through.” Meanwhile, snooker supremo Barry Hearn has challenged the city of Sheffield to build a purpose-built bigger venue to host the World Championship.

The current Crucible deal ends in 2027,