Referee Michaela Tabb delighted to be taking charge of Masters final

Last May, the 42-year-old from Dunfermline became the first woman to referee the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship final, and she has now been handed the job of donning the white gloves for the conclusion of snooker's top invitation event. "I'm delighted, it's a fantastic honour," said Tabb, who officiated the Masters final between Mark Selby and Stephen Lee in 2008. "It's a different kind of crowd at Wembley – a bit more noisy and they can get rowdy – but I've got the experience now to handle it.

"The big occasion brings the best out of me. I loved every minute of the final at the Crucible so I'm so pleased to be refereeing another of snooker's biggest matches."

Ahead of the tournament, Ronnie O'Sullivan is road testing a bizarre new purple cue ahead of the defence of his title. The 34-year-old has been given the coloured cue by his sponsors, Premier Inn, and has been using it in the run-up to the tournament, which starts on Sunday.

Using an unconventional piece of equipment is not linked to the appointment of Barry Hearn as the new chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association – but O'Sullivan believes it the type of initiative the new head of the sport will look to promote.

O'Sullivan said: "Last year I used a new cue for the Masters. I only had it for two hours and I managed to win the tournament, but I didn't really like the cue if I'm honest. So I'm not a buyer of that philosophy that the cue is the be-all-and-end-all.

"I used to be because I got so attached to one cue that I couldn't do without it. If you start relying on equipment to dictate how you play, then you become attached to it and that is a weakness."

O'Sullivan feels Hearn's new job can revitalise the sport – and he is willing to help as long as his game is not compromised.

"There will be a lot less red tape now Barry has come in," O'Sullivan said. "It will give an opportunity to be a bit more flexible and give room for people to work. I was at the darts and watching the operational side of it and the production involved is good. I think that will come into snooker.

"Sometimes you can make something dull into something good with a bit of flair. You can be more passionate about what you do.

"Barry is up for people to be more dare-devilish and interact with the crowd. It doesn't mean going crazy, but showing a bit of emotion. Maybe less importance on the result and how you get the result, and more about expressing yourself."