Selby aims to join the big shots

Selby was last seen by a blearyeyed nation losing the world title to resolute John Higgins at nearly one o'clock in a May morning that found the Leicester unknown drained after a 17-day slog.

Now that he is almost famous — 'a few more people recognise me walking around town' — Selby, who has soared to world No 7, aims to lift his star rating in the Maplin UK Championship that starts today.

Leicester's best player since Willie Thorne will be backed in Telford by a small army of fans, just as Thorne enjoyed a vociferous following of local characters during his Eighties heyday.

For all his ability, Thorne never landed a major title, but the top prizes are shared around far more these days than when Steve Davis and then Stephen Hendry dominated.

Selby, 24, said: 'I've been doing really well in practice and I feel confident. I'm up to seventh from 11th at the start of the season and I've had lots of friends on to me wanting tickets.

'My profile is definitely higher after the Crucible final. People recognise me in the street and Alan Birchenall got me out on the pitch at Leicester City for a half-time chat in front of 20,000 fans.

'I was nominated for East Midlands Sportsman of the Year but Martin Corry won it. He's been great for Leicester and England and he deserves it, so I didn't mind missing out.

'People only used to think of Willie Thorne when they talked about Leicester, but there's a new generation coming through now like Ben Wilson and Tom Ford as well as me.'

Pool champion Selby was a 40-1 outsider at the start of the 888.com world marathon but pocketed £110,000 for his 17-13 defeat by world No 1 Higgins after wins over Peter Ebdon and Shaun Murphy.

He said: 'I've not bought a place to live yet. I did have a great twoweek holiday in Cancun with my girlfriend Vikki (Layton) — we just managed to miss the hurricanes and rotten weather.

'Vikki and I have been together over a year. We met through pool — she's a top ladies' player herself and understands the long hours you have to put in.'

Selby, who starts against Anthony Hamilton tomorrow night, is one of a clutch of young guns hoping to stretch Ronnie O'Sullivan's dismal run in world-ranking tournaments.

The former world champion has waited since the Irish Masters in March 2005. His stunning win over Ding Junhui in the Saga Masters at Wembley in January carried no ranking points.

O'Sullivan starts against Michael Holt. Peter Ebdon opens the defence of his Maplin title against Preston's Ian McCulloch.

Local hero Adrian Gunnell faces 2005 champion Ding, but Selby is looking to fly the Midlands flag all the way to next Sunday's final. He said: 'I'm better prepared this time. Getting to a major final can drain you.'