Mark Selby (fourth from left) with pocket rockets from Gone2Pot children’s snooker club, including Lee Whaley, left of Selby, and club founder John Woods, to the four-time world champion’s right

GASPS of shock were quickly followed by cheers of excitement on Saturday when budding young snooker stars got the chance to meet one of their heroes.

Four-time world champion Mark Selby surprised startled players from Gone2Pot children’s snooker club when he joined them for their weekly training session at the Hurricane Room in King’s Cross.

The “Jester from Leicester” was visiting the popular snooker and pool venue to take part in a special exhibition match, which saw some of the best potters from across the capital cough up £130 per frame to challenge the world No 5.

Selby narrowly missed out on adding a fifth world title to his honours list at the start of the month when he was beaten 18-15 by Luca “The Belgian Bullet” Brecel in the final. But he was back on song on Saturday when he toppled all-comers at the table – that was until he came up against Westmins­ter’s Lee Whaley.

The Gone2Pot protégé showcased all his promise on the green baize as he battled his way to a room-silencing 65-50 victory.

“It was amazing, to beat someone of Selby’s calibre was really something special,” said Whaley, who lives in Marylebone.

Thanking Selby for arriving at the venue early to spend the best part of an hour with the children, Gone2Pot founder John Woods said: “It was really fantastic.

“Mark got a big cheer when he walked in, the kids were over the moon. He signed autographs for all the children, had his picture taken with them, chatted to them – it was really inspirational for all the young players.”