Earlier this week Jamie Jones was sharing a prison cell with Barry Hearn, Stuart Bingham and Rob Walker, now the Neath cueman is gearing up to face defending champion Robert Milkins at the BetVictor Welsh Open.
Jones has recently become an ambassador for the charity Jessie May Children’s Hospice at home. The staged stint behind bars was all in aid to raise money and was one of Jones’ first engagements in his new role.
It’s not too late to donate for Jamie’s prison challenge. Click here to give what you can.
Having had a mixed season on the table, the 35-year-old is hoping a refreshed attitude can spark his form into gear.
We caught up with Jones to discuss his charity prison experience and look ahead to next week’s event in Llandudno…
Jamie, first of all how did you find the experience of being locked up for the day?
“It was mad. Since I’ve been an ambassador for Jessie May, I’ve just thought that whatever they ask me to do I will do. It is only my time really that I’m giving up and I have got time to give. A day here or there from practising isn’t a problem. I actually said to my Mrs before the arrest, what have I got myself into? I was going to bed thinking that I was going to be arrested. It is normally sprung on people when something goes wrong. When we got there, I knew it was going to be a fun day. Everyone was up for it and everyone was quite excited. Doing it for a charity like Jessie May, you know that at the end of it all it is going to such a fantastic cause.”
What was it like being in a cell with Barry Hearn?
“To be fair, Barry Hearn made Rob Walker look quiet. It was unbelievable. The stories he was telling went on for hours. Me, Stuart and Rob were pretty much listening to Barry all day. He spoke about anything and everything. It was unbelievable that he kept reeling off these stories, hour after hour. We were in a proper run down jail and to look across and see a legend like Barry in there was surreal. Fair play to him, he is 76 and a multi millionaire. He could just be sat on a beach somewhere. For him to give his time up was fantastic.
“I’ve loved snooker my whole life and the likes of Jimmy White and Steve Davis are heroes of mine. He’s obviously played a big part in both of their careers. I was in there for six hours with Barry and even though my ears were ringing by the end, I could have listened for ages longer. He couldn’t have gone up any more in my estimations. I think he is fantastic for snooker, but seeing him put himself in that situation the other day. He is an absolute legend.”
How did you become involved with Jessie May as an ambassador?
“I ran the London Marathon for them and it came off the back of that. When I was asked to be an ambassador, I wondered why me? To be asked to do something like that was quite a big deal to me. I felt a responsibility. Whatever I do, I try my best at. I am honoured to be an ambassador. Going forward, I will do anything they ask me to do, provided it doesn’t come to close to tournaments. I visited the headquarters in Bristol and I spoke to one parent who lost both her daughters. I have an experience of seeing what goes on there and the work they do. It is a really important and good charity.”
How much are you looking forward to the Welsh Open?
“It is in a beautiful part of Wales. I love travelling up to Llandudno and going through Snowdonia. It is epic. All of the Welsh players are from the South though so it is almost as far as going to Sheffield. We will have the support though and it is always nice to play at home and try to do well in a situation where we get more support than we normally would around the world.
“Up until Christmas I was really struggling with my game and myself. I was having odd spells playing well then odd moments when I was really struggling. That is difficult because you never really know which Jamie is going to show up. I got to Christmas and decided I didn’t want to keep playing with that mindset. I had a nice break and I feel refreshed. I feel I’m hitting the ball better and in a better place mentally. The goal is to enjoy playing. When I am enjoying I tend to play well.”
You are up against defending champion Robert Milkins, what are you expecting ahead of that match?
“I like playing Rob. I’ve known him for 15 years on the tour. He has been a good friend of mine. I love the way he plays. It is no nonsense. He plays the game in such a lovely care free way. A lot of the pros would like to be able to play like him. He is very raw and natural, as well as very clever. Because he is so quick, people don’t realise how clever he is. I’m just looking forward to the game because I know it will be played in the right way.
Did you watch his win over Shaun Murphy in last year’s final?
“My birthday is on Valentines Day, so my partner bought us a spa weekend away last year, because I didn’t qualify. On the Sunday night we were out for a meal and we finished it early to watch it. My partner loves Rob as well. I was telling her the situation with how much money he was standing to win. I think, like us, everyone would have been glued to it and cheering him on to win. I honestly believe he is the most popular winner of an event. Nothing against Shaun, but I think every pro on the circuit wanted Rob to win that match. Me and my partner left food early to watch and it was awesome to see him do it.”