With the World Snooker Championship set to get underway at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre this weekend, defending champion John Higgins has predicted a gloomy forecast if Barry Hearn fails to succeed in reinvigorating the sport.

Speaking to The Independent, Higgins said: “He wants a lot more tournaments for less prize money. We’ve all got to get away from this idea that the big money’s still around.”

“It was fantastic when I came into snooker, when tobacco was throwing lots of money at it, and even when they fell away we thought others would come in because of all the TV exposure.”

“But it didn’t happen. And now we need to grow the sport again because if we don’t, it might not be around in 10 years’ time.”

Higgins begins his Crucible campaign against Barry Hawkins.

Click here for the full first round draw.