- Fans have been revelling in the relaxed nature of the Snooker Shoot Out event
- Tournament in Leicester has different rules to other snooker competitions
Drunk snooker fans taunted a bald player with chants of ‘there’s only one Gregg Wallace’ during the Shoot Out tournament.
The event, which is being held in Leicester, has different rules to most normal snooker competitions.
Each match is contested over a single frame with a shot clock and a ten-minute limit.
Typically snooker fans are told to stay silent when matches are being played – or risk being thrown out – but at the Shoot Out fans are allowed to be as noisy as they like, which Elliot Slessor will certainly now be aware of.
Slessor was subjected to chants from fans who likened him to MasterChef presenter Wallace.
Wallace has stepped back from MasterChef while an investigation into his alleged misconduct is carried out. He is not expected to return to the BBC, as bosses are reportedly alarmed at the growing wave of complaints against the 60-year-old.
Snooker player Elliot Slessor was subjected to chants of ‘There’s only one Gregg Wallace’
Supporters are allowed to be as noisy as they like while matches are taking place
The event, which is taking place in Leicester, has different rules to normal snooker competitions
Wallace is facing accusations of inappropriate behaviour from 13 people, including Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark.
Addressing those allegations, Wallace’s lawyers said ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.
However, three more women have now come forward to tell BBC News about their experiences with Wallace.
The latest allegations include one woman who said Wallace groped her, another who claims he pressed his crotch against her while filming BBC show Eat Well For Less and a third who alleged he flashed her in his dressing room.
Many observers were left surprised by the chants from fans at the snooker tournament, with one writing on X: ‘Watching Snooker Shoot Out. It’s snooker but with a crowd of drunks in the audience! Some of the people watching don’t look amused.’
Another wrote: ‘The Snooker shootout is completely horrific when ligh-hearted crowd audience participation turns into drunken aggressive blokes shouting things that aren’t funny.’
Furthermore, another added: ‘Are the crowd in the Snooker Shoot Out in Leicester drunk? The amount of noise and calling out is so annoying and must be distracting for the players.’
Journalist Nick Metcalfe wrote: ‘A few of you gave me examples of fans crossing the line, including ‘there’s only one Gregg Wallace’ here with Slessor at the table.’
MasterChef presenter Wallace is facing accusations of inappropriate behaviour from 13 people
Tom Ford revealed he enjoyed a bottomless brunch before taking part in the tournament
Meanwhile, Tom Ford revealed that he enjoyed a bottomless brunch before taking part in the Shoot Out tournament.
Ford told Eurosport: ‘My preparation has been a two-hour bottomless brunch with my friends, to be honest.
‘And I’m going back there as soon as I can. I’ve got a Christmas jumper that I’m going to put on and I’m straight out!
‘Its one of these tournaments that you’ve just got to go out there and enjoy it what you can.
‘I don’t think any of us deep down enjoy it because it’s so hectic with the nerves just kick in, you’ve just got to try and get that over and get on with it.’