John Higgins blasts English gaffe as he progresses at World Snooker Championship

Wishaw's John Higgins is delighted to have reached round two of the World Snooker Championships - but a nationality error left him confused.

A 10-7 first round win over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh was achieved after a hard-fought battle for the Scot.

The former world champion had fallen 5-4 and 6-5 behind but experienced managed to get him through to face Belgium's Luca Brecel or Thai Noppon Saengkham in round two.

But a graphic from the host broadcaster had Lanarkshire's legendary potter bemused as he was branded English.

While far from happy with that, a winning start at the Crucible leaves him pleased.

Higgins jokingly fumed: “England?! 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."

He added to the BBC: "I was delighted I was only trailing 5-4. He looked like he was in control and could have been 6-3 or 7-2 up.

"I am delighted to have held up, and stood up at the end to get to 10 first.

"The crowd is amazing out there. It is great to have them back and adds to the tension and everything you feel out there."

IMG production responded: "It was a mistake on a graphic which was prepared at short notice and was rectified immediately for further use. We apologise to John for the mistake."

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