Snooker hero O'Sullivan packed in conventional living for luxury canal boat

Irish Daily Mirror

11-05-2025

Ronnie O'Sullivan once splurged £130,000 on a canal boat—only for it to meet the same unfortunate end as his previous one. As snooker's all-time top earner with £14.73 million in career prize money, the seven-time world champion could have easily indulged in a luxury yacht or a sprawling mansion.
But true to his unconventional nature, the Rocket—who dominates snooker's record books and is widely hailed as the sport's greatest ever—chose something more low-key. In 2018, he bought a luxury narrowboat named Morfe Lady Three.
He moored the 60-foot vessel along Regent's Canal, which winds its way through north and east London. Equipped with a full suite of amenities, the boat offered a peaceful escape from the pressures of city life.
Its spacious lounge area was adorned with an indoor fireplace, cosy furnishings such as a sofa, armchair, and rug, as well as a television. O'Sullivan humbly spoke about his purchase to TV presenter Matt Smith in a Eurosport video, saying it's "no big yacht but it's alright.'
Yet his floating retreat was still kitted out with a modern kitchen that included a double oven and a wooden oval table. The boat also boasted a bedroom with a double bed and an en-suite bathroom featuring tiled floors, redwood vanity units with granite work tops, and a large wash basin.
The 49-year-old explained to Smith: "I lived on a boat about seven or eight years ago in London and I loved it. I spent about three or four months living on it but couldn't use it because I had to get back to work - but I always had it in my mind that I'd buy another one."
He went on to highlight the benefits of his curious purchase, adding: "I couldn't sit in a hotel room but I come in, have a little kip, put the snooker on, the TV on, have a few friends come in. You don't feel like you're cooped up so much. It's nice to see water."
But it appears O'Sullivan's need to "get back to work" took precedent once again, as he reportedly listed his narrow boat for sale just a year later for £129,950, without looking for a replacement afterwards.
Since then, he has gone on to win two more world championships, though he missed out on winning a record eighth title when eventual winner Zhao Xintong defeated him in the 2025 semi-finals earlier this month.
Returning to professional play for the first time since January after an extended hiatus from the sport, the veteran showed flashes of brilliance but also admitted to a lack of confidence, partly due to issues with his cue.
He snapped his equipment in his previous appearance earlier in the year and couldn't get comfortable with his new one, changing his cue tip for the first session against Zhao.
O'Sullivan was ultimately dumped out in a 17-7 defeat, despite beginning the Friday morning session level at 4-4 with his Chinese opponent - who went on to beat Mark Williams in the final.
The Rocket's turbulent season saw him make last-minute withdrawals from the German Masters and UK Open, as well as calling off an exhibition match with John Higgins in Helsinki.