Snooker supremo Barry Hearn has given Sheffield City Council a deadline of the end of the year to give him concrete plans to keep the World Championship in Sheffield. World Snooker Tour’s current deal with the council expires in 2027, which coincides with the 50-year anniversary of the event being held at the sport's spiritual home and 100 years of the tournament itself.

Hearn, 76, has urged the council to “show me the money” so he can double the winners' prize to £1million, like he has done in darts. The Honorary WST President had a “positive meeting” with council chiefs yesterday and Minister of Sport Stephanie Peacock was at the Crucible last night.

Options to keep the tournament in Sheffield include expanding the current venue, which would likely need structural reinforcement, or a site fee.

China and Saudi Arabia have been muted as possible destinations if the event does leave the UK.

And Hearn said: “As much as it sounds pretty barbaric, it all comes down to pound notes. Darts players are gonna be multimillionaires and snooker needs to catch 'em up.

“And I think they will in the next year or so, hopefully. If all goes well, we can be surprised and start thinking about a million pound first prize instead of £500,000 for snooker as well.

“I was impressed with the passion and commitment that Sheffield Council have got for snooker. And I think they were very pleased to hear that we share that passion. You know, we view the Crucible as the home of snooker, but again, we have to live in the real world.

“This is a major event in England. I put it alongside Wimbledon. So everyone understands each other's side's problems. Fingers crossed the government understand the significance of this event remaining in the UK and remaining in Sheffield

“At the moment we are engaged and I'm hoping in the next few months we're gonna get married again. Let's keep our fingers crossed.”