John Parrott booked his place in the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley with a 6-5 win over Stephen Lee.
It was only Parrott's second win of the campaign and his first in the UK since the opening round of the 2000 World Championship at Sheffield last April.
However, it was touch and go for Parrott, who has enjoyed more success against Ally McCoist on Question of Sport.
"They can show that on the programme," quipped Parrott. "What happened next - John Parrott won a snooker match.
"Ally will never get it, and I'm not sure they'll believe it at home either.
"My son Josh is old enough to know what I do for a living and I didn't want him to think his dad can't play the game."
Parrott, three times a Masters runner-up, meets Dave Harold for a place in the semi-finals. "Dave is a very tough match player but after this victory it will be a pleasure just to get out there again".