UK Championship snooker final referee who Ronnie O’Sullivan called ‘best in the world’ goes back to day job at Next

2 weeks ago 4

ONE of Snooker’s top referees will head back to her day job at retail giant Next after overseeing proceedings in the UK Championship final.

Tatiana Woollaston, 38, is regarded as one of the best snooker referees around and was officiating Judd Trump’s 10-8 win over Barry Hawkins at York Barbican on Sunday.

Snooker referee Tatiana Woollaston has another job working for Next[/caption]

Woollaston officiated Judd Trump’s UK Championship success in York on Sunday[/caption]

Trump ended his 13-year wait to win the UK Championship and banked £1MILLION in the process.

But, while the players prepare for their next tournament, referee Woollaston is returning to her job at Next until she’s next needed.

The snooker referee has been lauded as a top official but has held a job with Next for over 10 years at the same time.

She previously opened up about juggling the two polar opposite professions in an interview with Eurosport.

She said: “I’ve been with the company for over 10 years now. They’re really excited about me refereeing and really supportive.

“They let me have the time off, but I’ll be back at my desk tomorrow.”

Woollaston is also married to top snooker star Ben Woollaston, who is ranked as world no.47.

And the pair share two children together with the Belarus-born referee saying being a mother is her third job.

She added: “My third job is a mum to two beautiful boys.

“They’re here supporting me. They’re not too much into snooker, but they’re here for me.”

Woollaston is clearly fantastic at every job she takes up with some of snooker’s top stars lauding her officiating skills.

The seven-time world champion said: “Best ref in the world, mate. By a mile. All day long, for me.”

Tatiana Woollaston is married to snooker star Ben Woollaston[/caption]

Ronnie O’Sullivan has lauded Woollaston as the best referee in snooker[/caption]