Before 2005 was over, Hamilton lost his first match at The Masters Qualifying and was hammered 9-3 by Ding Junhui in the first round of The UK Championship.

That left only the Welsh Open and The World Championship to try and salvage enough points to hold on to his place in the top 32. Under enormous pressure, the 34-year-old from Nottingham produced some stunning snooker to beat Fergal O’Brien, Paul Hunter, Ken Doherty and Ian McCulloch to set up a semi-final clash with Stephen Lee. Trailing 5-3, he nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback but was just edged out 6-5.

Further heroics were needed when Hamilton faced Rod Lawler in the final qualifying round of the World Championship. Trailing 6-1 and later 7-5, the three-time Crucible quarter-finalist recovered to triumph 10-8.

His turnaround has been so impressive that he is provisionally ranked in the top 16, any doubts of remaining in the top 32 firmly dispelled. He will need to beat Mark Williams to return to the top 16 for the first time since 2001 but his record against the Welshman certainly gives him a fighting chance.

Prediction: Second-round exit