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Snooker icon Jimmy White has told one of his peers to "get a life" following his claim that the World Seniors Championship doesn't belong at the Crucible. David Gilbert made the suggestion and asserted the Sheffield venue should be reserved for the World Snooker Championship only.

White, who has won a record four senior world titles, has been a regular on the veteran circuit for more than a decade and is widely revered among the snooker community. He took umbrage with the suggestion that the sport's golden oldies don't deserve a place at the Crucible in their own global championship. Gilbert recently called the Crucible "a special place" and described his glee that the World Snooker Championship will be kept at the venue on a new long-term agreement. However, he's not in favour of any other competition, the World Seniors included, gracing the fabled grounds in order to keep it sacred for the main showpiece event.

"I hate that they play the Seniors there. I think that's shocking," said Gilbert, per Metro. "The only people that should play at the Crucible are people that go through this qualifying school or a top 16 professional. It's not for hacking around in exhibitions. It's the Mecca of snooker."

Gilbert went on to say he's "played all around the world," in Saudi Arabia and other far-flung locations, but described them as "absolutely boring and rubbish." White hit back defiantly this week.

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"Get a life! Listen, this is why we're here," he told Metro. "Why not? It's a World Championship, the World Seniors. I don't know why people would say that. It don't make any sense."

White, 64, exited this year's tournament on Thursday after losing 4-3 to Robert Milkins in the second round. He finished off a 4-1 victory over Daniel Ward earlier in the day before being knocked out as his search for a record-extending fifth title came to an end.

At 44 years of age, Gilbert is eligible to compete in the World Seniors Championship himself. 'The Farmer' participated in this year's World Championship in Sheffield but suffered a first-round exit following a decisive 10-5 loss to Ding Junhui.

Gilbert has competed in the last eight editions of the World Championship and has made it to the semi-finals in two of those, most recently in 2024. Four of his last five attempts have ended at the first hurdle, however.

It's also now been five years since The Farmer featured in his last ranking final, which was also his only ranking title, at the 2021 Championship League.