Snooker champion John Higgins comforted by BBC presenter after bursting into tears during live interview.
John Higgins, the four‑time world snooker champion, appeared visibly emotional during a post‑match BBC interview following his 10‑7 victory over Joe O’Connor in the first round of the 2025 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible.
During the interview, Higgins paused, his voice breaking, as he shared the personal challenges weighing on him. He disclosed that his father‑in‑law had recently suffered a heart attack, a situation that had shaken him deeply in the days leading into the tournament.
He also reflected on his late father, who passed away in 2011, and admitted that the emotional burden had been building. Higgins revealed that during dinner with his son the previous evening, thoughts of his father’s own Crucible appearances 25 years earlier came flooding back. He said, “I left my partner and I was in tears … thinking about sitting here with my dad 25 years ago” and admitted he was “drained” emotionally heading into the match.
As he attempted to regain composure, BBC presenter Seema Jaswal recognized the weight of the moment. After a moment’s pause, she rose from her seat and approached Higgins, enveloping him in a consoling hug live on air. She first offered verbal support, telling him: “You did so well, I need to give you a hug.” Her empathetic gesture resonated deeply: it acknowledged Higgins’ vulnerability at that moment and allowed space for emotion.
In that embrace, the boundaries between athlete and human being blurred — a reminder that behind the composure and competitive veneer, even champions carry unseen burdens. Jaswal later reflected on the incident, admitting she had anticipated some emotional strain given Higgins’ family situation, but confessed she hadn’t expected the intensity of his reaction. She said: “You never actually quite know what is going on in someone’s world.”
The response from fans and observers was overwhelmingly supportive. Many lauded both Higgins for his honesty and Jaswal for her compassionate professionalism in handling a delicate live moment. The scene underscored the human dimension of sport — that moments of fragility do not diminish achievement, but reveal the full weight of what athletes often carry behind the scenes.
Despite his emotional struggle, Higgins rallied himself for the match, later stating that after a few hours of rest he felt better and played stronger in the evening session.
In sum, what began as a standard post‑match interview evolved into a powerful, candid moment: the champion glimpsed in vulnerability, the presenter bridging professionalism and empathy. It was a reminder that in sport — as in life — success and struggle often travel side by side.
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