Only 48 hours earlier Ebdon had been involved in a strength-sapping semi-final with Matthew Stevens when he trailed 16-14 and was one shot from going out of the championship before battling back to win 17-16 close to midnight.

One wondered how much the 31-year-old had left in the tank to face a back-on-song Hendry, who has been rejuvenated this season since acquiring the services of Terry Griffiths as his coach.

But Ebdon led for long periods in the best-of-35 frame contest and, when he really needed it at the death, produced more of the top quality snooker which has been his trademark throughout the last 17 days at Sheffield.

The Wellingborough player seemed to thrive as the pressure got greater and, after going 15-14 down, fired in breaks of 73, 111 and 85 in rapid succession.

He even managed to shut out of his mind failing to convert a vital black in frame 34 which would have virtually taken him past the finishing line.

Hendry made the most of that reprieve but it was only temporary as the final went to a last-frame shoot-out for only the third time.

Both players made errors in the early stages but it was Ebdon who stepped in with a 59 to put him in the ascendancy.

Hendry then needed snookers after accidentally potting the white when trying to snooker Ebdon behind the black - and seconds later it was all over in Ebdon’s favour.

It had been his wife Deborah that Ebdon had switched his thoughts to when the going got tough against Stevens to help him over the finishing line.

And the pair hugged in celebration along with their nine-year-old daughter Clarissa after another 10-hour marathon was finally concluded at two minutes after midnight.

Both players had produced top-quality snooker and notched up four centuries apiece in a game which will live long in the memory and it was a shame someone had to lose.

But few would begrudge Ebdon his glory as he avenged his 1996 final defeat at the hands of his opponent.

Ebdon said: ‘‘I had a couple of chances in the final frame and thought I’d blown it but it just goes to show there’s a lot of pressure out there.

‘‘But I’ve had a fabulous time and really enjoyed myself, especially in my last couple of matches.

‘‘It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be competing on the same table as Stephen he was outstanding.

‘‘But I’ve worked harder this year than I’ve ever done. I’ve worked very hard on my game and one or two things in particular with my coach.

‘‘This means the world to me, it’s what I’ve been working for for the last 17 years - I’m obviously a slow learner but I got there in the end.’’

Hendry added: ‘‘Obviously coming in this morning I was 10-6 down and I had a good session to get back into the match.

‘‘Tonight it was anybody’s to be honest, but Peter made a magnificent break in the last frame considering the black he had missed in the previous frame.

‘‘Before the last frame started all you want is one chance I got three and I didn’t take them and I deserved to lose.

‘‘But this is the pinnacle of our sport and to be involved in matches like this is what it’s all about.’’