A fan has been ejected from the Masters snooker final at Alexandra Palace for appearing to set off a fart machine to the auditorium.

The fan - if you can call them that - was eventually sought out and kicked out of the arena during the fifth frame of the match between Ali Carter and Stuart Bingham at the London venue.

With no balls down in the first frame back following the mid-session interval, and the overall score delicately poised at two frames apiece, the first noise could be heard while Carter, who is playing in his first Masters final, was still over a shot.

Advert

His opponent, who has also never won the event - one of snooker's most coveted championships - then began to indicate where in the audience he thought the sound was coming from.

Bingham wasn't best pleased. Credit: Eurosport

While they were at it, the person in the audience continued to make intermittent noise, much to the amusement of those around them.

It's probably not that funny for the players, who are playing in one of the biggest games of their career.

Advert

For Carter, his progression to the final showpiece of this tournament is even more impressive because he only gained entry to the event because Ronnie O'Sullivan decided not to take part.

What's more, Carter has twice fought back from cancer in his career and has also been diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

Ali Carter. Credit: PA

For his opponent Bingham, the 2015 world champion, there is not only a first Masters title at stake, but also the £250,000 ($325,000) prize on offer to the finalists.

Advert

Naturally, in an event such as this one, full concentration is needed. Hell, snooker is difficult at the best of times, that's without some wag setting off a fart machine nearby to you when you're over a shot.

Even though it was his opponent that was over the shot at the time, Bingham was clearly unimpressed by the person's antics.

As for the frame itself, Carter went on to capitalise on his opponent's mistake and made 93, a frame-deciding contribution.

Stuart Bingham. Credit: PA

Advert

It's not clear whether or not either of the players were affected by the noises and the commotion that followed, but the match will continue into this evening.

As it stands, it's pretty tight. At no stage in the match has there been more than one frame in it between the two until the final frame of the afternoon session.

Whatever happens, there is guaranteed to be a new name etched on the trophy.