UNDERDOG Zak Surety normally sits on his sofa and watches the full 17-day World Snooker Championship in his PANTS.
But on Bank Holiday Monday, he will don a bow tie and waistcoat for the first time in the hallowed surroundings of the Crucible.
The Basildon Bull Dog – the world No.73 – is a huge fan of the sport and never misses a session when it comes to Sheffield.
And he also prepares for matches by binge-watching episodes of EastEnders on the BBC iPlayer.
Excited Surety, 33, said: “Honestly, I’m the biggest snooker nerd when it comes to the Crucible.
“I like to sit in my pants for 17 days and just watch every session on TV.
“I don’t move – 10am to midnight every day, just watching snooker. So to be involved with it now, it’s unreal.
“I haven’t even been there to watch before.
“I’m keen on my running. A few years ago, I thought I had never actually seen the place.
“I typed the address into my iPhone maps and ran towards it. When I saw the Stage Door, I felt my knees buckle.
“Not many people know but EastEnders goes up on the iPlayer at 6am.
“It’s perfect prep for a game – a bit of Phil Mitchell and then the Crucible.”
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Surety wanted to walk out to the feel-good Wham! classic “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” but the BBC could not secure the licence.
Instead he will be introduced to millions watching around the world to Midas Touch by Midnight Star.
A motley crew of Surety fans will be heading up to Sheffield to watch his opener with Ding Junhui – the Godfather of Chinese snooker – from 2.30pm.
This has been a breakthrough season in which he reached the semi-finals of the World Open in Yushan in March where he lost to veteran John Higgins.
The Essex lad is a real character and has some funny names for his two pet dogs, including one named after singing icon Elton John, 78, whose real name is Reginald Kenneth Dwight.
Surety – who pulled out of a Pro-Am in Belgium due to his Worlds appearance – said: “I have a Staffy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) called Obi and a French Bulldog called Elton John.
“Obi is named after the Star Wars character. He’s a rescue dog. We got him on May 4 – so it was meant to be, eh?
“I’m not a big fan of Elton’s music. I just like getting to the top of the park and when he’s naughty, shouting out Reginald!
“I get a few dodgy looks obviously but it’s all part of the fun.
“Now I have qualified, someone will have to step in and do some dog sitting.”
Surety is a 2001- tournament outsider and one of three debutants in the draw.
He added: “I said to my dad the other day, it’s probably the strongest top-16 we have had in snooker.
“So, I have to turn up, smile and see what I can do. Keep the form going. Bring it on!”