Referee Peggy Lee 'lays down the law' after crowd disruption during Wuhan Open final between Xiao Guodong and Gary Wilson
By Jonny Bray
Updated 30/08/2025 at 21:33 GMT+1
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Referee Peggy Lee had to step in twice to deal with crowd disruption during the Wuhan Open final between Xiao Guodong and Gary Wilson. The first disruption was caused by a whistling member of the audience, which left the TNT Sports commentary team bemused. However the second disruption was more serious. That was caused by a member of the audience answering a phone call just before a frame.
‘Take the call outside’ – Referee asks fan to leave before final frame of morning session
Video credit: TNT Sports
Snooker referee Peggy Lee had a lot on her hands at the Wuhan Open final as crowd disruption marred a thrilling encounter between Xiao Guodong and Gary Wilson.
Xiao edged a classic match 10-9, but only after Lee had to ask a member of the crowd to leave the Optics Valley Gymnasium.
Another member of the crowd disrupted play by whistling earlier in the match to cap a frustrating day for the official.
TNT Sports commentator David Hendon recognised how infuriated Lee was by the distraction.
"Extraordinary noise in the background," he said.
"It has clearly put him off.
"Peggy Lee is laying down the law."
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‘Laying down the law’ – Referee warns fans about noise after whistling interrupts Wilson
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hendon’s fellow commentator Neal Foulds was the first to recognise the source of Lee’s frustration.
"Somebody was just whistling I think," he said.
However, no harm was done, and Hendon was quick to crack a joke by comparing the spectator to Roger Whittaker.
British singer Whittaker was well known for his impressive whistling ability.
"Roger Whittaker or someone," he joked.
However, things went from bad to worse later on in the match with the score at 5-3.
"One more frame to come in the first session of the Wuhan Open final, of course it will conclude from 12:30 UK time, two hours from now," added Hendon.
"It does feel a big frame for Gary Wilson.
"He’s 5-3 down, having led 3-2; he was certainly the better player at that point.
"Things have turned around, he’s struggling to get in, Xiao Guodong is looking a bit more confident.
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"We’re just waiting for Peggy Lee to return; she was just sorting something out there."
At that point, Lee approached a member of the audience who was clutching their hand to their face.
Hendon quickly pointed out that the spectator was on their phone.
Lee approached the fan and appeared to ask them to leave the arena ahead of the start of the frame.
Hendon recognised that the moment of madness had occurred at a key point in the match.
"I think that guy is on his phone, so he is maybe going to have to take that call outside because this is a big frame," he added.
Xiao is now a back-to-back Wuhan Open champion, having come out on top at the tournament in 2024.
He admitted that it meant a lot to defend his title in his home country.
"Winning a first ranking title is hard, winning a second is even harder," he said. "To be able to come back to this city and successfully defend the title really means a lot.
"I’ve been a professional for 17, now 18 years, so I’m not a young player anymore.
"As an experienced player, winning two ranking titles at this stage feels a bit late, but in another way the timing is just right.
"Over the years I’ve built up experience, and I think this breakthrough is the result of all the work and the lessons I’ve learned."
Wilson denied that the partisan crowd had an impact on him and praised his opponent’s performance after the match.
"Him having the majority of the support doesn’t bring pressure," Wilson said. "If anything it should, if you have a competitive nature like I have, spur you on to try and upset that.
"It didn’t happen today.
"Now that it is finished and there is nothing more I can do about it, I just want to say well done to Xiao."
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