Hendry: 'Snooker is too classy to follow darts'

Stephen Hendry insists darts would be the wrong model for snooker to copy if the sport’s governing body heed calls for a makeover.

The seven-time former world champion was responding to claims from world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan that snooker is “dying”, with low crowds at overseas events cited as one of the Essex player’s main concerns.

But Hendry rejected suggestions that live darts events, which have been rejuvenated by promoter and Professional Darts Corporation chairman Barry Hearn, have the characteristics snooker should be aiming for.

The Scot claims snooker has “classy” standards which should be upheld.

Hendry, who turned 40 on Tuesday and lost his Masters opener to Australian Neil Robertson at Wembley yesterday, said: “Talk that the game is dying is complete nonsense.

“People talk about darts being on the crest of a wave. But if that’s what we’ve got to do, let people in drinking and shouting and bawling, then it’s a sad state.

“I think snooker is a classy sport, and to go down that route would be a backward step.”