A 10-2 victory over Malta’s Tony Drago in the final qualifying round last month ensured the Norwich professional’s campaign finished on the highest possible note.

Unless that is, the 200-1 tournament outsider can do the unthinkable and deny White another chance to become world champion.

The money has been pouring in for the 41-year-old Londoner after his final victory over Paul Hunter at the Players Championship in Glasgow eight days ago.

It was his first ranking title success since 1992 and a tribute to his perseverance and belief in his own ability.

“One of my heroes is Roberto Duran and I’ve just tried to keep punching,” said White after his win over Wembley Masters champion Hunter.

Joe Swail paid tribute to his coach Derek ’Del’ Hill after last night’s 10-5 upset of 1997 champion Ken Doherty.

White has his own "corner man" and singled out Alan Bell for the latter’s part in the six-times world finalist’s unexpected Scottish triumph.

Having raised the hopes of his millions of fans, there is the danger that White has peaked too soon.

He also reached the final of the European Open in March and the semi-finals of the Masters and UK Championship.

There is also the small matter of a possible court appearance on Wednesday after being bailed last month on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug.

White doesn’t appear worried by the eventual outcome of the case and was in good spirits in Sheffield over the weekend.

“I haven’t celebrated my win in Scotland properly but I will do after the world championship,” he grinned.

Pinches, expected to wear a two-tone green and yellow waistcoat in the colours of Norwich City, may be overawed by the occasion.

He has set a record for the longest gap between a first and second appearance at snooker’s Theatre of Dreams.

But he has nothing to lose and an eventful weekend at the Crucible suggests nothing is impossible. Indeed, who would have imagined two players squaring up to each other in the hallowed arena.

Swail’s win over Dubliner Doherty ensured two members of the world’s top-16 elite failed to survive the opening weekend.

But at least the Irish pair were full of smiles after their match, unlike the acrimony following Quinten Hann’s 10-4 loss to Devon qualifier Andy Hicks.

Hann threatened to fight Hicks on the Crucible steps after a war or words almost developed into something more physical.

“It was great,” quipped Steve Davis, in his role as BBC TV pundit. “I’ve never seen anything like that before though.

“However, in the heat of the moment this tournament puts players under pressure.”

Hann told Hicks “you're short and bald and always will be – and you can have me outside anytime you want.”

Hicks responded by saying: “That’s you out of the top 16 next season.”

Both are likely to escape punishment for their fracas, though referee Lawrie Annandale, who had to separate the pair at the end of the game, has reported Hann for swearing.

In contrast, Doherty told Swail after his first opening-round defeat for nine years: “Good luck, you are playing well enough to win it.”

Swail, semi-finalist in 2000 and 2001, was fulsome in his praise for Hill.

“I don’t believe in coaching and that stuff but it was desperate measures,” he said.

“Within five minutes he’d spotted the problem and within 15 minutes we’d sorted it out.”

In the only game to finish this morning, Joe Perry, the world number 16, requires four frames to beat Rob Milkins of Gloucester after opening up a 6-3 lead yesterday.

John Higgins, champion in 1998, and Crucible rookie Ryan Day are more evenly matched.

But world number 69 Day is delighted to be 5-4 up on his Scottish rival, especially as Higgins chalked up the highest break of the event so far – a 131 - in leading 4-1.

Also in action on another busy day is 2002 world champion Peter Ebdon. The Wellingborough-based father of four won the Irish Masters in Dublin three weeks ago and followed up with a semi-final appearance at the Players Championship before losing to White.

He should prove too strong for Lancastrian left hander Ian McCulloch over 19 frames today.