Andy Lambley: Stephen Hendry is my all time favourite, played the game differently to the rest and a great break builder.

Shaun Berkeley: Favourite snooker player of all time has to be Ray Reardon, great player & always laughing & smiling, a joy to watch.

Andrew McLuckie: John Higgins - Matchplayer Extraordinaire.

Keep the comments coming in to us. Use the hashtag #bbcsnooker or write on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Image source, Getty Images

Reardon was the 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1978 world champion

Neil Robertson, a world champion six years ago, has this advice for Ding...

Mark Selby is playing with a new tip on the end of his cue - on a table lined with a new cloth. It hasn't stopped him winning the first frame.

"I'm surprised he has started so well," says BBC's John Parrott.

"This is the toughest test he could get in the final," adds Stephen Hendry.

Image source, BBC Sport

That missed red does cost Ding, who falls 1-0 behind against the 2014 world champion.

Clinical from Selby, whose break of 91 sees him take the opening frame.

An interesting tweet from 2015 champion Stuart Bingham...

So why is Bingham cheering on Selby. Does 'The Jester' owe him some money, or are they going to have a punch-up at the next event? No, of course not. Nothing so sinister as that.

If Selby wins the final then he will remain as the world number one, if he loses then Bingham will jump above him in the rankings.

A first chance for Ding. He comes to the table 34-0 behind. He makes eight but the oohs and aahs from the crowd follow as he leaves a red hanging over the edge after getting a thin cut wrong.

Early nerves from the Chinese?

In case you don't know, the final is the best of 35, so the first to 18 is the champion.

This is one of those dream days for sport fans. And we have it all covered on the BBC Sport website.

The Jester from Leicester (yes, that is really Mark Selby's nickname) will be cheering on his Leicester side that are aiming to win the Premier League title for the first time. They are currently drawing 1-1, needing a win for the trophy. So here are the other sports you might be interested in

Live text for Manchester United v Leicester

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So, it's fair to say there is a bit of pressure on Ding's shoulders. What he needs is a good start to settle any nerves in the biggest match of his career.

Selby is first to score in the final on his way to a break of 27, but then has to play safe. Ding comes to the table with the cueball hovering over the bottom corner pocket, needing a strong safety game to avoid giving the man from Leicester a frame-winning chance.

He's captivated a nation. I can only imagine this will increase today...

Image source, .

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

"There was a nice moment as Mark Selby poked Ding Junhui in the belly just before they entered the arena.

"Selby looked extremely relaxed, talking to Stephen Hendry and Terry Griffiths - Ding's coach - back stage."

These two gripped the nation in 1985 with the infamous 'Black Ball final' - today they are in the commentary box together. Click the play icon to watch the live coverage.

Steve Davis lost to Dennis Taylor on a final-ball, final frame shootout 31 years ago, with 18.5 million watching on. Who fancies another final-frame decider?

Image source, Getty Images

So this live text would be nothing without you and as always we want your comments, otherwise I will be rambling on alone like some scary person you often see on the last bus home.

We want your thoughts on the match and we will bring in a number of topics for debate throughout the next two days.

So, let's start off with an easy one. Tell us who is your favourite player, past or present. Also include a reason why they are the best. It can be as obscure a reason as you like. In fact, the more obscure the better. 

Tweet us using #bbcsnooker or write on the BBC Sport Facebook page. Go on, you know you want to.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Hendry
Seven time world champion

"I think a world number one mentality kicked in for Mark Selby last night. A lot of the time in this tournament he's been able to win ugly."

"This is the biggest occasion for Ding Junhui, you've got to enjoy it, he will be thrilled by this atmosphere, but he needs to keep Mark Selby off the table because every time he's there, Selby will clear up."

So how is this one going to go? Why not ask the most successful snooker player ever? OK, we will.

Rob Walker has the microphone in his hand and it is time to introduce the players. "Enter the Chinese Dragon".... is how Ding makes his way into the arena. 

If Ding thinks it might be easy, he is reminded that "one of the all-time greats" in the shape of Mark Selby is his opponent. As if Ding wasn't nervous enough...

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

"Whichever was you look, there's a story in this final. Ding Junhui can become the first Asian winner of the World Championship, while Mark Selby can complete a sensational sporting double for the city of Leicester.

"Unexpected, qualifier Ding is the slight favourite in the match despite being up against the world number one and former champion.

"The Chinese player has been in sensational form though, making a record seven centuries in a Crucible match in the semi-final but victory against 'The Torturer' Selby won't come easy."

The Crucible. This has been the home of snooker since 1977 and will be the setting for drama, tension, cheers and tears over the next two days.

Atmospheric, tense and a setting that has provided the most memorable moments in the sport's history. World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn says he never wants to move the final from this venue. And you can see why.

And you won't miss a single thing on the BBC. All you have to do is press the live coverage tab at the top of this page to watch the footage.