Snooker legend Jimmy White has been given a wild card entry into the sport’s premier invitation tournament, the Masters.

Fresh from his stay in the Australian jungle in ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’, White will swap bush-tucker gear for waistcoat and bow tie to grace the stage at Wembley Arena.

The Whirlwind takes on Mark King on the opening evening of the event on Sunday January 10. The field is made up of the world’s top 16 players plus White and qualifier Rory McLeod.

White’s stylish, attacking style of play and his man-of-the-people charisma have made him one of the most popular figures in the history of British sport. The public voted for him to stay in the jungle until the final show of ‘Celebrity’ last month, underlining his heroic status.

The Londoner is also one of snooker’s all-time greats, having won ten ranking titles on top of his 1984 Masters triumph, when he beat Terry Griffiths in the final.  

“I’m delighted to get the wild card, it will be great to be back at Wembley,” said the left-hander who has appeared in six World Championship finals. “I’d like to thank the new Board for their decision. I’ve only just got my sleep pattern back after getting home from the jungle, but snooker’s still my number one priority and I’ll be ready for the Masters.”

Barry Hearn, who was confirmed as WPBSA chairman on Wednesday, added: “Jimmy is one of Britain’s great sporting superstars. He has attracted vast crowds all across the world, but nowhere more than Wembley, where the fans regard him as one of their own. He’ll pack the place out and the atmosphere will be sizzling. There was no doubt in my mind that he is the man to take up the wild card challenge. Throughout his career he’s played shots that most snooker players can only dream of and it makes great viewing for live audiences and on TV.”

www.worldsnooker.com/masters

The Masters runs from January 10 to 17, with White joining the likes of Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson and newly-crowned Pukka Pies UK Champion Ding Junhui in trying to take the crown from Ronnie O’Sullivan. Tickets are on sale now, call 0844 815 0815 (Disabled Booking Line: 020 8782 5629) or visit