Dominic Dale saw his wish to wear a daffodil on St David’s Day, the semi-finals Saturday of the BetVictor Welsh Open in Newport, scuppered by the fashion police in the TV studios. Having been handed one by the make-up team the powers-that-be decided the bright yellow of Wales’s national flower clashed with someone’s shirt, and all were removed from the presenting and punditry team.

Taking on world No2 Mark Selby is difficult enough at the best of times, but Dominic Dale could at least plead illness and preparation that was far from ideal after slumping to a 4-0 defeat at the last-32 stage of the BetVictor Welsh Open. Unluckily snookering himself and then going in-off on the blue in the decisive frame only made the Shootout champion feel worse. Dale said: “All day in the studio on Tuesday I was shivering and feverish, and really felt very ill. At least it wasn’t as bad today out there and I only had a bit of a headache. Bad as I felt, you can’t win a match with the run of the ball I got out there. I haven’t had a match like that for years.”

Recent Shootout winner Dominic Dale is usually pretty busy for his home event at the BetVictor Welsh Open. Even when his time in the draw comes to an end – and often before – he has other commentary duties with BBC Wales. And while remembering to pack all his TV studio gear Dale for the first time in a 22-year career neglected to bring a waistcoat in which to play his last-64 contest against Dechawat Poomjaeng. Dale had to go out hunting for something to wear at 9am on the Monday morning of the match, finally ending up parting with £25 for a natty white number from wedding menswear hire shop Cayzers on the Chepstow Road in Newport.