Deller suffered a shock first-round defeat to 1978 semi-finalist Nicky Virachkul, who eventually lost to Whitcombe in the quarter-finals. Whitcombe then came from 4–2 down to beat Jocky Wilson 6–5 in the semi-finals. In a famous moment at the end of the match, Wilson drunkenly fell down on the stage before congratulating Whitcombe.