Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

That's all for day five. And what a day it has been.

Right, what's coming up tomorrow?

It's a later start than normal on Thursday with play starting at 13:00 BST, but with our first action in the last 16.

Afternoon session (13:00 BST)

• Last 16 - David Gilbert (Eng) v Robert Milkins (Eng, 16)
• Round 1 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng, 2) 8-1 Jackson Page (Wal)

Evening session (19:00 BST)

• Round 1 - John Higgins (Sco, 13) 5-4 Jamie Jones (Wal)
• Last 16 - Judd Trump (Eng, 3) v Tom Ford (Eng)

Thanks for your company and comments today. See you tomorrow. Goodnight.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Earlier today, seventh seed Ding Junhui became the seventh seeded player to be knocked out, before 15th seed Barry Hawkins was the eighth, losing 10-8 to Ryan Day in the evening session.

Their exits come after defeats for fellow seeds Luca Brecel, Mark Selby, Mark Williams, Ali Carter, Gary Wilson and Zhang Anda.

There has never been a year at the Crucible where nine seeds have lost in the first round and it has been only the fourth time - after 1980, 1992 and 2012 - where eight of the top 16 have fallen at the first hurdle.

If O'Sullivan completes an expected win over Page on Thursday then he would take on Day, who has reached the last 16 for the first time since 2014.

Day said: "Obviously delighted and it's been a long time since I won a match here. Winning games here is not easy for every player.

"I was gone at 8-5 down and lost my way a bit. I'm 5-2 up, then 8-5 down, then five for me to finish. This crop of qualifiers looked on paper to be as strong as ever and with eight seeds going out it has been the case.

"Neil Robertson was there and it shows the strength of depth that's extending all the way down to 50 or 60 in the world."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

A good recovery from John Higgins after being 3-1 down to Jamie Jones at the mid-session interval, only for the four-time champions to reel off four frames on the bounce.

Jones ended strongly with a break of 82 and they play to a finish on Thursday evening.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Jamie Jones holds a 3-1 lead against John Higgins, although it so easily could've been 2-2, but Jones took the fourth frame on the black ball to snatch it after Higgins had earlier made a break of 68.

Jones is aiming to put out his second world champion after beating Neil Robertson in the final qualifying round. The Welshman made a perfect start to the session with a break of 118.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Barry Hawkins has enjoyed a brilliant start to his evening session, taking all four frames against Wales' Ryan Day to move from 4-5 down to 8-5 up.

Breaks of 92, 50 and 59 have helped Hawkins turn the match around and he only needs two frames to advance.

It's very likely he would play Ronnie O'Sullivan in the next round as the Rocket was in stunning form earlier on as he blasted into an 8-1 lead over Welsh qualifier Jackson Page.

Image source, BBC Sport

So, as mentioned, here's tonight's schedule - and, just as importantly, how you can follow it on the BBC.

John Higgins' clash with Jamie Jones is on BBC Four while the climax to Barry Hawkins' encounter with Ryan Day is on the Red Button.

And, of course, you can watch both matches right here on the BBC Sport website by clicking the 'Watch & listen' option at the top of this page.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Michael Emons

Wales' Jamie Jones has qualified for the Crucible for the sixth time after he secured the result of qualifying as he fought back from three behind to edge out 2010 world champion Neil Robertson in a deciding frame shootout.

"I don't know what it is about this tournament, it just brings the best out of me," said the world number 41. "My style is to never give up and I knew I was up against it when it was 8-5 but I thought if I could hit him early I would have a chance.

"I love the way the top players play. In practice I play like a top player, I just don't produce it enough in other competitions. Neil had buried me every time I had played him so I didn't have good memories of playing him."

Can Jones dump another world champion out this week when he takes on John Higgins today and tomorrow?

It's only just over an hour until Wednesday's evening session starts.

There's just one first-round match still to get under way - with four-time Crucible champion John Higgins facing Wales' Jamie Jones, who beat Neil Robertson in the final qualifying round.

Barry Hawkins will also resume his match with Ryan Day, trailing 5-4.

Sheffield City Council have since issued a response, following Hearn's comments.

Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield is the home of snooker. The World Snooker Championships and Sheffield go hand in hand.

“We know what the tournament means to the people of Sheffield, the players that come to compete and all the fans that watch the tournament across the globe. We have created a sporting legacy here in the city and we want that to continue for generations to come.

“We are in regular contact with World Snooker Tour and meet with them before, during and after each tournament and we will continue doing so.”

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier on today, former World Snooker chairman and Barry Hearn was interviewed on BBC Two about the future of the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre when the venue's deal expires in 2027.

You can scroll back to around 1415 BST on this live text page to read his comments in full.

Hearn indicated a desire for the event to remain in Sheffield - but says the city needs to play its part.

"We have said for the last few years we need a new venue that seats 2,500-3,000 people," Hearn said.

"I'm looking to Sheffield to come to the party and if they do, we're staying. And if they don't, they're really saying to me 'We don't want you'. So it's not really my call."

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

Fast forward to two weeks from now and Ronnie O'Sullivan wins the World Championship losing the least amount of frames anybody has ever lost, because he's so workmanlike.

That's something that could happen because when he does decide to really harden down he is exceptional. When he gets all departments of his game right, he's so hard to beat.

This could be Ronnie O'Sullivan on a mission.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

I wouldn't say it was Ronnie's best performance but he did what he had to do and accelerated through the gears when he needed to.

It wasn't his fluent best but he put his opponent under pressure and didn't give him a sniff.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

It's quite obvious there's been an absolute gulf in class at the table this afternoon.

It's a job well done by the favourite, Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Yep, the inevitable transpires and Ronnie O'Sullivan polishes off enough of the remaining reds to deepen Jackson Page's woes.

A dominant first session from the seven-time world champion as he seeks a record-breaking eighth Crucible crown.

Mark Allen made pretty heavy weather of it this afternoon, but finally wraps up victory in style against Robbie Williams.

The fourth seed knocks in a 114 break and will face John Higgins or Jamie Jones in the next round.

Image source, Getty Images

Page's attempted escape goes astray and Ronnie has the ball put back. The first attempt wasn't bad but the second was well off - and O'Sullivan has a golden chance to make it 8-1.

A reprieve for the Welshman of sorts - as Ronnie O'Sullivan's break is halted at 36, an attempted incursion into the pack of reds going awry and leaving no pot on.

But I say 'of sorts' because Page arrives at the table snookered on all reds behind the baulk colours.

And just as I type that, Page hits a shocker of a safety that leaves the 'Rocket' plum in.

Very cagey start to the final frame of this first session, with Jackson Page more than matching Ronnie O'Sullivan in the safety exchanges.

He might not consider himself the greatest - but you do.

Despite Ronnie O'Sullivan suggesting he doesn't believe he's the greatest player to ever pick up a cue, you've voted in your droves to say otherwise.

The 'Rocket' has earned more votes in our 'thumbs' poll than the other five candidates combined.

Stephen Hendry edged Steve Davis to take the runner-up spot, with an honourable mention to Ray Reardon in fourth.

Image source, Getty Images