Dyson, who made a 147 break earlier in the tournament, compiled a 144 clearance on his way to beating White 9-6.

The 30-year-old, a professional for 11 years, is rapidly becoming a good outside bet for the final stages of the event although he admits he has always developed his natural talent.

"I admit I'm a massive under-achiever. It's easy to play at being a snooker player, but it's not so easy to get up, practise and be dedicated," said the Widnes man.

"You have to want it and work at it. I can discount seven years from my career because I've just wasted them.

"It's only recently that I've changed my ways and started taking it seriously."

Dyson rounded the opening session with a break of 69 to trail only 5-3 but White, the 1992 UK champion, went three frames clear by taking the first of the evening.

Following his magnificent 144, which followed the maximum and a run of 143 in the third round, Dyson fired in contributions of 52, 62 and 55 to storm through.

"Jimmy looked like he needed the television cameras to perform," he added.

"Maybe he approached it as a warm-up match.

"The last frame of the first session was crucial. I made a 69 break to win it and took that positive attitude into the evening."

White had no complaints on losing his opening match in the event, which deals his hopes of returning to the elite top 16 a major blow.

"Nick got better as I got worse. I missed a few balls from 6-3 up that I shouldn't have and he punished me."

Elsewhere, world number 20 Dominic Dale coasted through by beating Patrick Wallace 9-3 and Wisbech professional Joe Perry ended the challenge of Kristjan Helgason with a 9-6 victory over the Icelander.