Stephen Hendry bites his tongue on BBC over snooker issue that leaves him fuming

 Stephen Hendry may no longer be playing at the Crucible, but he is still making his presence felt at the World Snooker Championship

There is one thing which always frustrates Stephen Hendry

Stephen Hendry did well to contain his frustration when he watched John Higgins and Xiao Guodong constantly exchange pleasantries at the Crucible. Hendry, 56, was one of the most relentless and ruthless players in snooker history, securing seven World Snooker Championship victories over the course of his career.

He was cool, meticulous and machine-like over the course of his time in the sport. Hendry played during an interesting period, making his debut in 1985 before eventually retiring in 2012. He was around when the likes of Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor were playing mind games in the 1980s and 1990s, and when Ronnie O'Sullivan was gathering his own momentum. Unlike many other players, Hendry watched first-hand as snooker evolved and shifted into the sport it is today. However, there is one evolution that makes his skin crawl.

BBC pundit Hendry has repeatedly made it clear that he does not like it when players are too pleasant with each other. As a seven-time world champion, Hendry was a win-at-all-costs player who only focussed on what he was doing, rather than his opponents.

Watching snooker, it is common to see players tap the table after their opponent performed an impressive safety shot. Many other players also like to compliment their opponent for a good pot.

While many believe this is good sportsmanship, Hendry despises it when pleasantries are constantly being exchanged. He remarked on it during Higgins' tense 13-12 victory over Xiao when either player tapped the table or complimented the other. After calmly mentioning the warm atmosphere between the players, snooker commentator John Virgo laughed and said: “I thought you’d notice that.”

It is not the first time Hendry has made clear his dislike for these kind of exchanges. He recently went on a huge rant about players complimenting each other or apologising when potting a fluke shot during an appearance on the Snooker Club podcast back in February.

Higgins and Xiao were often tapping the table or apologising for a fluke shot during the games

When asked about things that bother him in snooker, he passionately said: “You know what’s even worse? After every good safety shot, it’s a tap on the table now. What is going on?

"Sometimes it’s not even getting to the cushion and it’s ‘tap the table, tap the table, it’s so nice, lovely shot’. I mean, bore off! You’re there to win. Who are these people?

“Judd Trump never apologises for a fluke, hardly ever. And he never says ‘good shot’ and taps the table, ever. He’s world No.1, he’s won everything, you do the maths.”

Trump recently overcame 2025 Masters champion Shaun Murphy 13-10 to move into the quarter-finals. He will face 2023 world champion Luca Brecel in the last eight.