Ken Doherty refused to be drawn on his future in snooker after succumbing to a 10-4 first round defeat to Mark Selby in the World Snooker Championships.

Doherty, winner at the Crucible back in 1997, kissed the theatre floor after entering the arena to face Selby on Saturday, but it was the ‘Jester from Leicester’

The Dubliner, absent from snookers showpiece tournament 12 months ago, had to defeat Jimmy White and Joe Swail to even secure a spot against Mark Selby, but he had no answer against the in form world number 7.

Selby punished Doherty at almost every attempt and after opening up a 6-3 lead in the opening session he finished the job off 10-4 to book a second round clash against Stephen Hendry.

Doherty was full of praise for his opponent after bowing out at the first hurdle: “He looks like a guy who’s really on top form and it’s always hard to play against someone like that.”

“Every time you make even the smallest miscalculation you’re punished by him clearing up and winning the frame.”

Watch the final frame, of what could be Doherty’s last appearance at the Crucible, below.