Shaun Murphy produced his customary magic at the Welsh Open on Tuesday, but insists he wasn't then responsible for his Terry's Chocolate Orange vanishing.
Instead, the 2005 snooker world champion was left fuming after claiming a seagull stole his sacred snack, plucking it from the window ledge of his hotel room. And the incident ruined an otherwise perfect day for the world No 11, who in the morning had beaten Victor Sarkis 4-0 at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.
Last summer, Murphy had life-changing gastric sleeves surgery, with 80% of his stomach removed to limit excessive food consumption, having been plagued by weight struggles throughout his career. But whilst his eating may be limited, clearly 'The Magician' still enjoys a sweet treat or two.
However, he was left to pay the price of leaving his chocolate within sight of the birds, writing on Twitter: "So…..when I left my hotel room earlier this evening I placed, VERY CAREFULLY a Terrys Chocolate Orange on the Window Ledge outside to chill so I could have a few slices with a coffee in bed. Not there now is it. #fuming #seagulls."
Snooker fans had fun with the post, with @AndyHunney suggesting snooker announcer Phil Seymour was to blame: "But was it really seagulls @announcerphil," he wrote, only for the man himself to hit back with: "I’d have to have some reach to get that, I’m in Bournemouth!"
Snooker player Rebecca Kenna queried: "Outside? No fridge in your room?" while @DarrenDon01 was more concerned with Murphy's sleep patterns, adding: "I’m more concerned about drinking coffee before bed."
But @WHOSTHEDADDY1 sympathised with the star, revealing gulls in the area had previous: "I was waiting to go on the cable cars in Llandudno a few years ago," he said. "A gentleman had just bought an amazing looking ice cream and was laughing at his partner because she hadn't got one. Then the seagull came and snatched it out of his hand before he managed to taste it. Lmao."
Murphy, 40, will at least have all of Wednesday to restock his snacks. The Triple Crown winner can enjoy a day off before his second round match against Scotland's Anthony McGill on Thursday.
The amusing saga at least contrasts to why Murphy hit the headlines in December, speaking out on the suspension of 10 Chinese players for match-fixing: "Specifically for players who are found guilty of match fixing, they should never compete on the professional tour ever again," he said.
