Parrott has carved out a second career as a commentator

The 1991 world champion beat Northern Ireland's Dermot McGlinchey 3-1 but finished fourth in his group.

Bristol's Judd Trump, the youngest player on the circuit at 17, topped the group to secure a TV debut, with Derby's David Rose also qualifying.

Malta's Tony Drago missed out when he lost 3-1 to Yorkshire's Paul Davison, who qualified with Stoke's Jamie Cope.

Welshman Jamie Jones, 18, secured his place by finishing second in Group A behind Thailand's Issara Kachaiwong.

Dominic Dale, the 1997 Grand Prix champion, went through despite being convinced he would miss out.

Only a 3-2 win for Shokat Ali over Sean Storey meant that Welshman Dale would qualify second behind Michael Judge.

Ali duly secured a 3-2 victory, leaving Dale delighted.

"I must be the luckiest person here," he said. "I can't believe I went through and it was agony waiting for that last match to finish."

Dale, who beat John Higgins to win the title nine years ago, was a semi-finalist in the new season's first event, the Northern Ireland Trophy.