What have you done Stuart? He attacks, when maybe the safety was the call and misses a red. This could get messy. The reds are spread out. A great chance for 3-0 here.

Christian Evans: Hendry would never have missed a black off the spot for frame ball, Murphy needs to learn to close out frames better.

Kierran Haynes: Untidy, but solid start for Shaun Murphy. I think the semi-final took a lot out of Bingham.

Mr Kennedy: Long way to go in this final but Murphy has looked solid and focused all Championship.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion and BBC Sport expert

"I think Stuart needs a frame now. Shaun let him off the hook a little bit there but Stuart needs a frame just to settle him into this final."

Throughout the match we will show you some fancy graphics from our television coverage.

This shows that Murphy has won five of the seven meetings between the players. Also, Bingham has had to play 12 more frames and spent nearly seven hours more on the table to get to the final.

Remember you can watch the live BBC coverage by hitting the play button at the top of this page (UK only).

Image source, PA

Debate rages over whether it was a 'soft' penalty or not, but either way Eden Hazard's strike from the spot has put Chelsea 1-0 up against Crystal Palace and on target to clinch their first Premier League title since the return of coach Jose Mourinho.

The clock is ticking down, Roman Abramovich's champagne is on ice..... follow the final minutes with our live text, as long as you promise to head straight back.

And with that the pink rolls around the jaws of the middle pocket and stays out. It was a chance for Bingham, which he can't take. Murphy sinks the pink and is 2-0 up.

This could be some steal from Bingham. Murphy missed a frame-winning black. Two balls left. Bingham needs both.

Yes I did just compare Stuart Bingham to Paul Gascoigne. Bear with me.

An interesting point there from Conor. Bingham is one of the most emotional players on the circuit and was in tears after beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-final, and again after defeating Judd Trump in the semi-final.

He said he has had "20 years of scars" and has battled through the ranks to deserve his moment in the spotlight. A popular player on the circuit, few would begrudge him his big moment. But can he take full advantage?

If he does win, there will definitely be some tears coming on Monday. Lots and lots of them. How emotional will he be? At a guess I would say probably on the same level as Paul Gascoigne getting booked in the 1990 World Cup semi-final. Well, maybe.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve: Amazing how often players in general miss the frame-ball.

Conor Tremble: I'm a big Shaun Murphy fan but you can tell how much winning would mean to Stuart so I'd like to see him win.

Well, he was on course for the frame. But there is still a bit more to do. Murphy made a break of 64 in the first and follows that with a 59. But it should be all over. Murphy misses a black off the spot, which was frame-ball.

So what's happening in the second frame? Well Bingham scored 17, but Murphy is now at the table and looking on course for 2-0.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, PA

I had a walk inside the arena at 12pm, where I found referee Olivier Marteel sitting in one of the players' chairs, taking in the magnitude of the occasion. Belgian Marteel is officiating in his first world final, having started out at a local club 15 years ago.

"Referee Jan Verhaas told me to go in early, the Crucible will be empty so that I can soak it all in," said Marteel. "Walking up from the hotel this morning, I knew I was going to be nervous and my legs started to feel like jelly but I can't wait for it to get started."

Much like finalist Bingham, Marteel can't believe he is in the showpiece event of the snooker season.

"When I first started reffing, I never thought I would become professional, never mind being in a world final. Maybe it was written in a book somewhere, but it is definitely an honour and privilege."

The third man in that picture is referee Olivier Marteel. And it is a big day for him as well.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, World Snooker

"Stuart Bingham has not stopped smiling since entering the arena. After all, it is the biggest match of his life.

"Believe it or not, three elderly gentlemen and one lady have already fallen asleep in the crowd. There's only been one frame played. Must have been up late watching the boxing."

Stephen Hendry: "Experience can be a little bit of an advantage as you've seen it all, the atmosphere, before. Stuart has his family here and he has to quickly get that out of his head. He's here to work and win a World Championship."

Ken Doherty: "I think in another match or more into the final, Stuart would have given up in that frame, but he wanted to feel the table because of the new cloth. It was important to get a few more shots and settle in - he's not used to this."

So Shaun Murphy lands the first punch in the 2015 World Snooker Championship final. A break of 68 proved the difference, although Bingham refused to give up when all hope seemed lost.

Image source, Getty Images

As Shaun Murphy and Stuart Bingham go toe-to-toe (well, sort of) in the opening frame I will point you in the direction of our reaction to the big fight in Las Vegas in the early hours of the morning as Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao on points.

I said the frame was over 12 minutes ago. Well, that was not entirely accurate. Bingham has kept on going, often needing three or four snookers. Definitely an 'I will not give up mentality'.

Wrap yourself in your favourite duvet, make sure you have the popcorn to hand. This is going to be a long one.

Shah J. Rahman: Bingham made me real mad by beating Ronnie, and then Judd. But now I'm massively supporting him.

Aaron Booth: This opening frame is just amazing. If the rest of the match is like this it'll be an instant classic.

Ashley Butterfield: Not even a full frame in and this is already a brilliant final. Go Bingham.