'I didn't realise I'd won World Snooker Championship'

Stuart Bingham revealed he did not realise he had won after clinching his maiden World Snooker Championship title on Monday.

The 38-year-old beat 2005 winner Shaun Murphy 18-15 in an enthralling encounter at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with momentum shifting throughout the contest.

Bingham edged a pivotal 31st frame at 15-15 before going on to become the oldest first-time champion of the Crucible era.

"I was literally going one ball at a time," he said. "I actually didn't realise I'd won the [final] frame.

"The crowd clapped and then I looked at the score and realised - I thought I needed another red or something, or another colour.

"It's just an unbelievable feeling."

Bingham, who has been a professional for 20 years, had never previously progressed beyond the quarter-finals - a feat he achieved just once, in 2013.

"You dream of it as a kid playing, practising and when you start out," he continued. "But it's reality now.

"Any kids out there growing up wanting to play, just stick at it.

"That's all I've done. A lot of hard work, a lot of practice and self-belief, and something like this can happen."

But Bingham - renowned as a journeyman on the professional circuit - insists victory, and the £300,000 payday that comes with it, will not change him, adding: "Bring it on. I'm going to be the same person.

"I'll be playing in all the tournaments and I'll hopefully be a role model as world champion."