Stuart Bingham: 'Bottler' claim by Mark Allen took me to Crucible win

Stuart Bingham says he was spurred on to his World Championship victory at the Crucible by a fellow player's claim that he had "no bottle".

Bingham, 38, became the oldest world champion since 1978 by beating Shaun Murphy 18-15 in Sheffield.

"Thanks to Mark Allen. He said I had no bottle and since then things have changed," said Bingham.

Northern Irishman Allen made the claim prior to their 2011 Australian Open quarter-final, which Bingham won.

He went on to win the tournament in Australia that year, his first ranking event victory, before triumphing at the Shanghai Masters earlier this season.

Welshman Ray Reardon is the oldest person to win the World Championship, securing his sixth title in 1978, aged 45.

'Being champion will be hard'

Having fallen 3-0 and 8-4 behind against Murphy, Basildon's Bingham kept his nerve to move 14-11 ahead. He was pegged back at 15-15, before winning the next three frames for the biggest victory of his career.

Bingham, who rises to number two in the rankings, shocked five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, as well as Judd Trump, on the way to picking up the £300,000 top prize.

"After the Australian Open, I had to play as a champion, and it took a year to get used to it. It will be the same now," said Bingham, who was competing in his 120th match of the season.

"It will be hard and I have to put the hours in again. I am going to be the same person, I will play in all the tournaments and hopefully I will be a good role model champion.

"Any kids growing up wanting to play, just stick at it. Lots of hard work, practice and self-belief, things like this can happen."

'He loves snooker more than life itself'

Since winning the title in 2005, Murphy has lost twice in a world final, and missed a chance of become only the sixth multiple winner of the crown.

'The Magician' was gracious in defeat, and said he was pleased to be part of a memorable final.

"This will completely change his life," said Murphy. "He played like a champion. When I went 8-4 ahead he wasn't worried and played like a winner all the way through.

"Sometimes in sport, people are meant to win things. Stuart loves snooker more than life itself and fully deserves to win the tournament. I am very happy for him and his family.

"We have seen every final for the past 25 years and this is a definite contender for one of the best. There was constant break-building and not many missed chances. We put on a really good show."

Murphy had been hoping to repeat his triumph of 10 years ago

Bingham celebrates with his wife Michelle and son after an emotional victory