Snooker braced for major rule change for first time in decades as icon Jimmy White shows off his snazzy new outfit

JIMMY WHITE will look all right on the night in his snazzy new T-shirt — as snooker ditches the traditional bow tie and waistcoat.

In a break from decades of tradition, the iconic cueist will wear a specially-designed top for the Champion of Champions next week on ITV.

Simon O'Connor

Jimmy White will wear a special top for the Champion of Champions event[/caption]

Simon O'Connor

The back of his top bares his nickname[/caption]

White – who faces world No 4 Mark Allen in the opening round on Monday — will have his famous nickname, the Whirlwind, displayed across his back.

Each of the 16 players in the Bolton event will don a different coloured top — similar to the attire nine-ball pool players wear at the Mosconi Cup.

And these bespoke items will be available to buy online for £45.

The four-time world championship finalist, 61, said: “I do like the dress suit we wear in snooker but I really don’t mind this. In fact, it’s quite comfortable.

“I’m glad I’ve had it for a few days beforehand for the feel of it. It’s a good job. You cannot really go out and buy a Jimmy White dress suit, can you?

“People might start to have different colour shirts on for different tournaments.”

White, who is part of the World Snooker Tour, qualified for this tournament after winning the World Seniors Championship — contested by players aged over 40 — for the fourth time at the Crucible in May.

Asked how his form was going, the South Londoner said: “I’m flying, I can’t wait.

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“I’ve been practising solidly now for quite some time.

“For me, this is the deep end of the season, going all the way into the World Championship in April.

“The next four to five months are full-on.

“Listen, every tournament I enter, it’s for me to win.

“I’m not going there to make the numbers up.”