MC Rob backs 'mega talent' Mark
If there’s one man who knows a thing or two about the players at this year’s World Championship, it’s Master of Ceremonies Rob Walker.
The 35-year-old is one of the most instantly recognisable faces at snooker tournaments these days, with his energetic, exuberant style proving a winner among the Crucible crowd for the third year in a row.
Well known for his catchphrase ‘Let’s get the boys on the baize’ as he introduces the players into the arena at the start of every match, Walker is also a self-confessed member of the Mark Selby fan club.
“There’s a good rapport between us,” said Walker. “I really like him, he’s a nice bloke, enjoys his snooker and the place lights up when he plays. He’s a mega talent and great to have on the circuit.
“He’s got an excellent chance of winning the title as well. He’s got nerves of steel and, if he shows the form he did when winning the Masters this year, why not?
“He relished those frames when he was behind against Ronnie O’Sullivan, he’s just got no fear. Mark showed then that he can turn it on when he wants to.
“I really enjoy watching him play and he could go on and win it.”
Spectators may have noticed Walker and Selby are prone to a quick game of rock-paper-scissors during the players’ entrance on to the stage.
“We did that the first time I MC’d at the Masters in 2008,” said Walker. “He’s great bloke to work with, likes a good chat and the banter, but he produces the goods when under intense pressure.
“One of the funniest moments with him was last year when I went to his club in Leicester to interview him before the World Championships started.
“We were outside talking and I could see this smile start spreading across his face. That made me laugh and I couldn’t get the next question out, which made him laugh even more. We both started cracking up and ended up collapsed in laughter!”
An accusation levelled at snooker these days is that there are no characters left. Walker strenuously denies this and says that more should be done to expose the players’ true personalities.
“Mark is rare, he always looks relaxed under intense pressure. But there are characters there, and they’re all a joy to work with.
“It’s easy to look at old days and say there are no characters, like Bill Werbeniuk who used to drink pints during frames.
“But these days the game is so competitive, with massive significance on matches. Maybe we need to make more of an effort to interview the players where they are more relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings, like at their homes. Then I think we will see their true personalities.”
Walker, who “likes a game of pool but would never claim to have any talent at snooker”, is firmly established as the MC of choice on the professional circuit, and always looks forward to the Crucible fortnight.
As well as his MC duties, he also presents on BBC Interactive, reports for some radio shows a couple of times a day and conducts post-match TV interviews.
“My first gig as MC was the UK Championship in 2007, but there’s nothing like the buzz you get at the Crucible,” he said.
“I’ve always been a fan of snooker. I was 10 at the time of the Steve Davis-Dennis Taylor final and watched it avidly with my father. I continued to follow snooker as a teenager but then I drifted away from it.
“But I’ve firmly got back into it now and I really enjoy being around the players, there’s a great vibe on the circuit.
“You can’t do this job unless you really enjoy snooker.”