MATTHEW SELT apologised on live TV to Jimmy Robertson after their clash at the World Championships.
The Romford cueman beat his Bexhill rival 10-9 after pulling off a remarkable comeback to qualify for The Crucible.
IT COULD ONLY END LIKE THIS!
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A dramatic finish to a chaotic #JudgementDay #HaloWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/f5oNjEGlB8
Selt, 40, had fallen 8-3 and 9-6 behind before snatching a 10-9 victory on the black.
Robertson could have won the tie if he had potted the pink but a miss proved costly as Selt cleared the final two balls.
The win sees him become the final player to qualify for the World Championship in what will be his 5th appearance.
However, after the match he revealed that Robertson told him that he was “distracting” him during the game.
He told TNT Sports: “You know I have to apologise and say sorry to Jimmy.
“After one of the frames I won, he told me I was distracting and putting him off.
“So this win, there is no good feeling towards it.
“Ultimately, Jimmy was one of my closest friends, so for him to feel so strongly, to pull me to one side and say something as we were both walking to the toilet, you know I feel absolutely dreadful.
“I’m gutted for him that he didn’t win. I’ll be happy tomorrow that I have won but I just want to apologise.
“Everyone knows that I, not so much, wear my heart on my sleeve, but you know do a lot of commenting when I’m playing.
“But he felt strongly enough to say something so I would have definitely been in the wrong.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”‘You never lose it’ – Gary Lineker stuns former world snooker champion as he shows off impressive skills” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6371485145112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“So apologies to Jimmy.”
Selt was able to speak about his performance and the manner in which he was capable of coming from behind to win.
He added: “Great achievement to come back from 8-3 down, you know.”