FELLOW Basildon snooker professional Zak Surety says Stuart Bingham proved a lot of people wrong after he won the World Snooker Championship for the first time on Monday night.

Surety, who has just completed his first season as a professional, watched Bingham claim the World Championship crown at the Crucible from his home in Langdon Hills.

And he said the 38-year-old was incredibly calm as he won the last three frames to clinch the title.

“I wasn’t surprised,” said the 23-year old, who was knocked out in the first-qualifying round of the World Championship. “He has always been capable but I was really impressed with how he held his nerves towards the end of the match. He dealt with it and it worked to his advantage.

“I have known Stuart a long time, ever since my dad started taking me down Basildon Snooker Club to practice when I was about eight years old. I played with Stu as much as I could at the Q Ball Club to see how I was progressing and it helped me a lot.

“But he has come a long way since then. It has been his best season and to finish it off with his first ever win in this country, and at the World Championships too – the one everyone wants to win – is brilliant.

“I think he proved a lot of people wrong by winning this title and good on him.”

Surety said his first season on the circuit was “a good building block”, as he travelled the world with the best in the business.

His best performance came in the China Open, where he was a frame away from reaching the last 16 last month.

“I did well there and would have played Stu if we had both won our last 32 matches,” he said. “But it wasn’t to be.

“I have never played him before but hopefully i will be able to soon.

“It was a respectable start to my career and hopefully I can build on it next year.”