World Championship 2025: Mark Allen admits lucky fan Brian Nicholls was on his mind during historic 147 - 'Could not feel my arms'

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Mark Allen salvaged something special from a dire session against Chris Wakelin when he picked off a maximum 147 break at the Crucible on Friday. Allen finished the session 12-4 behind, but wrote himself into the history books and made a fan’s day as well. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Watch Mark Allen’s incredible 147 in full

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mark Allen has said lucky fan Brian Nicholls was on his mind as he plotted his way to a historic 147 against Chris Wakelin at the World Championship.

Allen had a session that he will largely wish to forget, as Wakelin dominated and ended it with a 12-4 lead.

It was not all gloom for Allen, as he picked off a superb 147 to become the first player in the history of the game to make maximums at all three of snooker’s Triple Crown events.

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His 147 on Friday followed his maximums at the UK Championship in 2016 and Masters in 2024.

Allen swelled his bank account to the tune of £45,000 with the maximum - provided no other player follows suit - but also that of Nicholls, who was the lucky spectator to benefit from the Northern Irishman’s brilliance at the table.

Sponsors Midnite put up a £25,000 bonus for a fan who witnessed a maximum at the Crucible.

'Didn't realise' - Fan initially unaware of Allen 147 bid as he reacts to £25,000 payday

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen was commentating earlier in the week when David Gilbert failed in a maximum attempt and was aware of cameras being pointed at the fan who would have benefited from the 147.

"To do it for the fan who won £25,000, it was a nice break," Allen told TNT Sports. "I was commentating the other day and saw someone had a chance, Dave Gilbert, but they broke down.

"It kept panning to the guy in the crowd who was picked for that day.

"Fair play, it is a great initiative. It is a great buzz."

There were gasps in the crowd when Allen appeared to run out of position on the final yellow, and he was unsure at first if the white had made it past the blue.

"I did not know [if I was on it]," Allen said. "I was scared of over-hitting it and being on the cushion as that would have been a horrible shot.

"So just sneak past the blue and anywhere there is fine, but when I hit it I thought I had under-hit it. But it was a nice shot for a left-hander."

There were nerves for Allen as the break progressed.

"The session was not great, but that was a massive buzz," he said. "Some great recovery shots, some good pots.

"I literally could not feel my arms and legs for the last few balls, so happy that I can put myself in the history books as I am not sure many people have done it in all three Triple Crown events."

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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

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