WORLD Snooker champion Stuart Bingham says there is no reason he can’t repeat his heroics from the Crucible last season when he returns to the scene of his most famous triumph this weekend.

The Snooker World Championships get underway on Saturday, with Bingham looking to defend the crown he won last year, after toppling Shaun Murphy 18-15 in one of the most memorable finals of recent times.

Bingham, who lives in Vange, cannot play Murphy until the final again this year after the pair were kept apart in the draw.

But he said he couldn’t wait to step out at the famous venue and begin his title defence.

“There is no reason I can’t make it back-to-back world championships,” said Bingham, 39. “I know I have been looking for my best form this season and I have been showing that in recent months so I hope that is still the case once this tournament begins.

“I’m really looking forward to the World Championships. I am coming into a bit of form after what has been a difficult season and I just want to get started now.

“It has been an absolutely manic year with all the interviews and press and pressure of being world champion but I have got more used to it now and I am looking forward to getting underway.

“I need to just get back out there and play some snooker, and do my talking there. The atmosphere and the adrenaline will come once I step out and I can’t wait.”

Bingham has failed to win a ranking title this year although reached the final of the World Grand Prix last month, which he lost to Murphy, in what is his best performance to date.

He does not yet know his opponent for round one of this year’s competition, although there are a number of dangerous qualifies Bingham said he would rather avoid, including four-times ranking event winner Ding Junhui.

Bingham is travelling to Sheffield this morning, and will be well supported when he takes to the floor.

“I am taking some support up to Sheffield with me and it will be great to have them all there alongside me,” said Bingham. “My manager Gary Purkiss will be coming down with me along with my wife Michelle and my mum and dad. I think there will be about 15 there in total and I hope I put on a good show for them.”