Ronnie O’Sullivan beat drug and alcohol problems and overcame stormy love life to become a snooker legend

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’S rise to the top is surely a tale for Hollywood movie makers.

The Rocket has conquered the world of snooker, winning the World Championship seven times.

AFPRonnie O’Sullivan poses with the World Championship trophy after winning his seventh title at the Crucible[/caption]

GettyChild prodigy O’Sullivan has been called a snooker genius[/caption]

But, despite that incredible achievement being so impressive, it’s the making of the snooker genius that is a compelling story and worthy of film autuers Spielberg and Scorsese.

He grew up in Essex, turning pro at 16. Remarkably, he would win 74 of his first 76 matches at that tender age.

In the midst of mastering his craft in the clubs of Barking and Ilford, his father ran sex shops in Soho.

However, his demons manifested themselves through depression and were masked by alcohol.

His personal life was sometimes just as chaotic – fathering three children with two different partners, before getting engaged to stunning actress Laila Rouass.

Teen sensation

Born in the West Midlands, O’Sullivan grew up in Chigwell, Essex.

He picked up a cue when he was just seven, rattling off his first century break at 10.

By 15, he became the youngest player to achieve a 147 maximum – turning pro a year later.

Staggeringly, he won 74 of his first 76 matches as he took the snooker world by storm.

But behind-the-scenes, his family life was turbulent.

Dad Ronald was sentenced to life in prison for murder, while his mum Maria would also do time for tax evasion – leaving him to fend for his sister, Danielle.

That didn’t derail his progress on the baize – winning the UK Championship in 1993 by defeating Stephen Hendry.

Rival Hendry called him, “‘the best in the world by a country mile” and the legendary Steve Davis said, “He’s the best genius we’ve seen in snooker, possibly in sport”.

But with every genius there’s a flaw.

In 1996, he assaulted press officer Mike Ganley at the World Championships and was slapped with a £20,000 fine.

Two years later, he tested positive for cannabis and was stripped of an Irish Masters title.

His bad-boy reputation was beginning to proceed him, as were his wild nights out with Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and artist pal Damien Hirst.

Something had to change.

GettyBy 10, O’Sullivan was already achieving breaks of 100[/caption]

CollectO’Sullivan grew up in Essex with dad Ronald and mum Maria (pictured)[/caption]

Getty – ContributorAged 16, O’Sullivan became a pro and won 74 of his first 76 matches[/caption]

Rehab

In his mid-20s, O’Sullivan checked himself into the Priory to treat drug addiction, after admitting he was having suicidal thoughts.

His mental health was a continuous issue as he struggled with the pressures demanded of him.

That expectation led to depression, as he strived for the impossibility of perfection.

Things came to a head in 2005, when he defended his title against Peter Ebdon.

Rankled by his rival’s seemingly slow play, a shaven-haired O’Sullivan asked an audience member for the time and stood on Ebdon’s seat, as the genius unravelled.

He won world titles in 2008 and 2012 – beating Ali Carter both times – but after the defence of his trophy ended in defeat in 2013, Ronnie took a year off.

However, working with psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, who is still in his corner to this day, allayed any threats of retiring from the sport completely or doubts of his ability.

Speaking to the BBC, Peters said: “I explored what he was thinking and whether it was rational and whether he was factually based. 

“And more importantly explored what he wanted to do and what his plans would be and what would make him happy, which is what he asked me to help him to be, just be happy playing his sport. 

Getty – ContributorO’Sullivan enjoyed nights out with Rolling Stones hellraiser Ronnie Wood[/caption]

PA:Press AssociationO’Sullivan began to strive for perfection and put enormous pressure on himself[/caption]

PA:Press AssociationInfamously, O’Sullivan shaved his locks off during the 2005 World Championship and appeared unhinged[/caption]

“What he has done is he has learnt to understand himself and got insights into the way that his mind is functioning. But he is a very driven man.

“He is very hard-working and committed and goes into great detail.

“So when we do work together he wants to understand and he wants to acquire these skills, and that he has done.”

Ronnie opens up about his his mental health battles and daily addictions in Amazon Prime documentary ‘Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything’ that was filmed as he began his quest for his record-equalling seventh World Championship.

O’Sullivan said: “My addictions are good in many ways because it drives me on. But it just needs to be managed.

“People could see that I was imploding. I wasn’t very good at having all this stuff locked inside me. I never want to go to them dark places but sometimes you have to. The truth is I might never make another final.”

Personal life

Away from sport, O’Sullivan’s love life was always the topic of conversation for the tabloids and equally as turbulent as his mood swings with snooker.

In 1996, he became a dad for the first time when his girlfriend Sally-Ann Mangus gave birth to daughter Taylor-Ann.

However, their romance only lasted a year and he has been reportedly absent in Taylor-Ann’s life, despite his eldest child welcoming his granddaughter.

He also had a short romance with TV presenter Bianca Westwood, who now works for Sky Sports as a football reporter, and they were pictured celebrating the 2001 world title but they split.

While attending Narcotics Anonymous, Ronnie was soon taken by the charms of Jo Langley.

GettyO’Sullivan seen with girlfriend Bianca Westwood after winning the world title in 2001[/caption]

Alpha PressFiancee Laila Rouass and O’Sullivan are back together after splitting earlier this year[/caption]

GettyDaughter Lily and son Ronnie Jr from his previous relationship with Jo Langley joined in their father’s celebrations[/caption]

They welcomed daughter Lily and son Ronnie Jr in 2006 and 2007 respectively, before they went their separate ways.

In 2012, Ronnie started dating actress Laila Rouass after they met when the Footballers’ Wives star was house-hunting.

She revealed: “It happened by accident. I was shown around Ronnie’s house by his father, who told his son about meeting me.

“Ronnie called the estate agent, a friend of mine, and asked me out via her.

“When he said he was a snooker player I said, ‘yeah, but what does he do for a living?’ I’d never heard of him because sport doesn’t interest me at all, although Ronnie’s won me over to snooker.”

It appeared that their 10-year relationship was over, when Rouass confirmed they had split on social media in 2022.

But months later she was spotted wearing her engagement ring, with Ronnie later addressing the reconciliation.

“It’s good,” he said. “She’s great. I love her. She’s great company and I love being around her.

InstagramRouass and O’Sullivan are now in a better place following their brief break up[/caption]

GettyRouass found fame as an actress on Footballers’ Wives and Holby City[/caption]

“She’s very supportive. I have to behave myself. I know when to go, ‘Alright, you’re in charge’. But she’s also really good at going, ‘Listen, you’ve got a busy life, you’ve got a lot to do, just get on with it’.

“Now it feels a lot better – everyone’s just in a better place. I just want to see her and her daughter happy, and her family, who are like my family, happy.”