- Viewers noticed the bizarre moment during a BBC broadcast in April.
- The incident happened while Stephen Hendry was speaking during a break in the match.
- Police determined that no crime had been committed and closed the case.
Police have closed their investigation into a video that was shown to show a man biting a boy’s ear during a BBC broadcast in April.
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry was speaking during a break in play on BBC coverage of the afternoon session when the shocking moment was visible over his left shoulder.
Viewers were shocked as the man, whose relationship is unknown, appeared to whisper in the child’s ear before beginning to nibble on it.
The boy seemed unfazed by realising he was on live TV, smiling and waving at the camera as the man stepped back.
The man then realises he is being recorded and gives a creepy grin before shaking his head back and forth.
In April, a man (right) was seen biting a boy’s ear during a BBC snooker broadcast.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed they had completed their investigation into the incident.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed they were “reviewing” the footage after being made aware of the video’s existence.The man can be seen biting the boy’s ear during coverage of Thursday’s World Championships at The Crucible in Sheffield.
Mail Sport contacted South Yorkshire Police in April, who responded: “We received a call yesterday, Thursday 25th April, at 9.20pm reporting that a video of a man and a young boy at the Crucible in Sheffield was circulating on social media.”
“We are aware of the footage and officers will be reviewing it.”
A World Snooker Tour spokesman added: “We are aware of the incident and this is now a police matter.”
However, nearly two months later, police confirmed the investigation had been closed.
A spokesman told Metro.co.uk: “After reviewing the video, police have determined no criminal offences have been committed and have launched an investigation.”
By the next morning, the video had garnered more than 12 million views and 58,000 likes, with X users expressing their horror.
A fan who first shared footage of the incident on social media wrote: “What did you just see?” along with a “gross” emoji.
“This is so disturbing,” one person wrote, while another said “I’m throwing up.”
Another wrote: “This is absolutely shocking. Poor child. Find this man now and save him!”
Many went so far as to say the boy needed protection and the man should be arrested.