World Snooker Championships: What a difference 45 years makes at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre
and live on Freeview channel 276
Last year, thousands of fans flocked back to the theatre in Tudor Square under tight Covid restrictions as the World Snooker Championships became a pilot venue for big events.
Now, anyone strolling through the square would be greeted by the whole snooker circus, which these days spills into the Winter Garden as well.
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Hide AdI caught a glimpse the other day of BBC commentator Hazel Irvine doing a piece to camera, avidly watched by fans.
In non-Covid years, visitors to the tournament bring in an amazing £1.8m to the city, according to Sheffield Hallam University.
The tournament first came to Sheffield in 1977 and, as these pictures show, it was a far more modest affair 45 years ago – look at the empty seats behind the players. Welcome to Snooker City.