Shaun Murphy should probably take most of the credit for his much-needed win over Ding Junhui at the Masters – but the former world champion was left wondering if other motivational forces had subtly contributed to his success, having chosen for the first time the ‘Superman’ film theme music for his entrance.

Murphy, 31, said: “It struck me over Christmas watching the darts here that walk-ons are your little opportunity to have a bit of fun and show a bit of your personality. I used to have ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ being the Magician, and the theme from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, because I liked it.

“Then it hit me that I have been the biggest Superman fan since I was six, so why don’t I use it? It’s a piece of music I really like, everyone else likes it, it is a bit of fun, and that’s it. It only puts extra pressure on myself walking in to Superman if my opponent has Kryptonite, and luckily Ding didn’t have any with him.”

The power cut a couple of minutes before the start of the Ding Junhui/Shaun Murphy match had officials for the tournament, broadcasters and venue scampering around the building desperately trying to establish the seriousness of the situation, and more importantly how long it would take to fix. In the end, the emergency response team all performed admirably, and a delay of 75 minutes was a result for all parties. It was originally feared it might take several hours to regain the electrics, something that would have impacted on the Ronnie O’Sullivan/Rob Milkins match and may well have resulted in one of the clashes being played very late or very early. But in the end none of that was necessary, and BBC cameraman Jim Cemlyn-Jones got his big moment, doing an impromptu acoustic guitar set in the manner of Cliff Richard - and not so much The Office’s David Brent, as he didn’t have to go home for his guitar. It was in the car.

All of the players both involved, in to practice, and former greats waiting around to commentate insisted they had never seen anything like it before. Murphy headed off to practice before rejoining the dimly-lit party in the arena led by MC Rob Walker, and Ding was taking pictures in the gloom while refuelling on an apple. No, not that one.

Dennis Taylor, the 1985 world champion, was taking it all in his stride. “I haven’t ever seen this happen in a big tournament, never,” he said. “But I do remember plenty of exhibitions during the strikes back in the 1970s which we had to do by candlelight.”

It is uncertain whether that solution would have got past the Ally Pally management on health and safety grounds.

In the build-up to the Shaun Murphy/Ding Junhui match no fewer than EIGHT former world champions were mingling and exchanging banter in the media centre at the same time. The cast list included Murphy himself as he prepared to go out into the arena, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Terry Griffiths, Joe Johnson, John Higgins and Ken Doherty, with a combined haul of 22 world titles won at the Crucible.

Johnson and Higgins were also quick to patch up their minor spat that hit the headlines during the UK Championship, initially sparked by a very strong headline placed on a piece the Yorkshireman had done for a Scottish newspaper discussing the Glaswegian’s recent spell of poor form and changes of cue this season.

John Parrott can hardly contain his excitement in the media centre over Everton’s strong showing in the Premier League this season, telling everyone who will listen that under manager Roberto Martinez his beloved Toffees are not only getting results but playing a more attractive style of football than was seen under David Moyes, something that has seen him attending most games. Parrott and the assembled hacks are in general agreement that after the sale of Belgium star Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United for an astonishing £28million and effectively swapping Moyes for Martinez, Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is the man you would want selling your house for you. Parrott's devotion has dropped him in hot water this season, though. Leaving Old Trafford with ardent Red Devils supporter Ken Doherty after watching Everton win 1-0 earlier in the campaign, an elderly woman United fan started throwing food at the Liverpudlian.

Terry Griffiths drops into the media centre during the Marco Fu/Judd Trump match glumly reflecting upon the fact that for the first time in the tournament’s 40-year history there is no player representing Wales in the 2014 Dafabet Masters. Over the years the distinguished cast list from the principality featuring in the event has included Ray Reardon, Griffiths himself, Doug Mountjoy, Cliff Wilson, Darren Morgan, Ryan Day, Matthew Stevens and Mark Williams. Reardon, Mountjoy, Griffiths, Stevens and Williams are all former winners. At least the 1979 world champion was present in his capacity as coach, and Paul Collier will be flying the flag in the arena in the final as referee for the showpiece.

MONDAY, JANUARY 13

There is usually an eclectic range of things to do and see at Alexandra Palace for players with downtime between matches at the Masters. The iconic and ornate building, originally built in 1873 and sitting on top of Muswell Hill, plays host to all manner of concerts and exhibitions, as well as boasting one of the finest views of the city from the south side. Bizarrely the snooker is sharing the premises with a model engineering exhibition which starts on Friday. And the ice rink on site is being used this week as a practice area for the current reality TV series of Dancing On Ice, with the likes of former X-Factor singer Ray Quinn and ex-Eastenders actor Todd Carty dreaming of triple Salchows and toe-loops. Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty may have missed the chance to get their skates on next year, though, with the series set to be scrapped.