Mark Allen has offered a hilarious reason for using hand warmers during the World Snooker Championship.
It was fellow Northern Irishman Dennis Taylor who spotted the Antrim cue star warming his hands while seated during a game earlier in the week.
Former World champ and commentator Taylor said: “He's got a hand warmer there as well, the sort of thing that is used on the golf course on a cold day.
Read more: Mark Allen carrying daughter's inspiration on his wrist for world title bid
“It may have happened before but that's the first time I think I've seen hand warmers at the Crucible. Might be wrong.
“But he's very focused Mark, he has been working with a sports psychologist and that's probably helped him with his three ranking title wins.”
Allen joked that the hand warmers were required after he had lost some weight.
The 37-year-old told BBC Sportsound: "I use hand warmers and cups of boiling water because I am really, really cold when I am playing these days.
"After losing a bit of weight I don't have as much insulation as I used to have.
"You need your hands and muscles nice and warm when playing. That's the only reason I am doing it.
"I am not trying to get any attention. I just try and keep warm and keep my hands as loose as possible for playing."
Allen has gone through a dramatic body transformation over the past 18 months, shedding over six stone after ditching the booze and getting more exercise.
He took inspiration from keen runner and current World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Allen says fans have been remarking on his weight-loss at this year's World Championships in Sheffield.
"Quite a few have said about the weight loss, but even further than that they want to recreate some photos from years ago that we've done in certain places, like a 'before and after' kind of thing," he said.
"Normally I get comments for being overweight, so it is nice getting some complimentary ones."
Allen eased into the quarter-finals of the World Championship on Saturday morning when he completed an impressive 13-4 win over Stuart Bingham.
It sets up a last-eight clash with either Neil Robertson or Jak Jones.
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