Gary Wilson's bleak visits to the biting freezers of a food factory in the North East made Sunday's warm winning Edinburgh embrace all the more special.
The Tyneside star wears his heart on his sleeve but this breakthrough triumph at the Scottish Open was underpinned by grit, unwavering focus and the fearlessness that saw him down Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Wilson's road to the Stephen Hendry trophy is the latest inspirational story from snooker's doldrums to distinction as he roared to the title and claimed the £80,000 prize.
