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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ronnie O'Sullivan ‘finally' signs up for lucrative side hustle as snooker legend tells fans ‘stay tuned'
SNOOKER icon Ronnie O'Sullivan has confirmed a major decision... by creating a YouTube channel. 2 Ronnie O'Sullivan has announced he has joined YouTube Credit: PA 2 The seven-time world champion released a video to go with the launch Credit: Reuters But now the Rocket will be able to spread that joy even more after announcing his latest venture as a YouTuber under the username: The seven-time world champion published his first video on the platform on Wednesday afternoon. Announcing the move on social media, he said: "Finally gone and got a YouTube page… "I will be uploading all sorts here from some of my favourite shots and matches to me cooking to me meeting and chatting to some interesting people. READ MORE IN SNOOKER "Hope you guys enjoy it!!" In the 25-second shorts video, backed by the song Dreams by Izabel & Waverly, O'Sullivan did not say a word. Instead, it showed him in hitting a 147 in practice while in The channel had previously shown a clip of him making his 1000th professional century at the 2019 Players Championship final. Most read in Snooker BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK However, that clip was seemingly swiftly removed. Regardless, the solo video on the channel proved popular with fans as it was watched 4.7k times. Zhao Xintong's classy act towards Ronnie O'Sullivan revealed after knocking legend out of World Snooker Championship The video was also liked more than 500 times on its first day, and has already served to connect his fan base around the globe. Fans were also very supportive of the move, with one saying: "Love you so much Ronnie. I am one of your biggest fans. Welcome to YouTube Legendary Snooker Lord. Greetings and sending lots of love to you from Turkey." A second said: "Watched you in Manchester two years ago and was amazing, you will do so well on YouTube and hopefully keeps you going!!!" A third said: "About time you set a page. Keep it up." Another said: "Congrats Ronnie. Greetings from Moldova." A fifth said: "Hello Ronnie! Loved watching you since I was a kid. All the best for the future of the channel!" O'Sullivan made it to the semi-finals of the most recent Snooker World Championship. There, he suffered a crushing 17-7 defeat to eventual first-time The Rocket has already invested in programs for the next generation, including a snooker academy in his name in Saudi Arabia. Speaking about his future, the snooker icon said: "I think I'm going to be moving out of the UK this year. A new life somewhere else. "I'll still try and play snooker but I don't know what the future looks like for me really. "I'm moving away soon so I'll just see how it goes. There's a lot of more important things in life to worry about than a game of snooker. "For me, it's a big part of my life, but I've got to try and figure out what my future looks like, whether it's playing or not. "I'll be moving away to the Middle East but we'll see how it goes. I might be back in six months, who knows?" Inside Ronnie's colourful career FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight. The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it. O'Sullivan And the Rocket's He has While the controversial cueist reckons he Despite His And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their Check out all our
The Irish Sun
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Got to live in the real world' – Barry Hearn issues ominous warning about Crucible's World Snooker Championship future
BARRY HEARN sent an ominous warning about the future of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible. China's Zhao Xintong became Asia's first world champion on Monday. 3 Zhao Xintong was crowned World Snooker Championship winner at the Crucible Credit: Getty 3 Barry Hearn warned the tournament could move away from Sheffield after 50 years Credit: Getty He But Matchroom chief and Asked if snooker's biggest tournament will stay put, Hearn told "So much of professional sport is about money. READ MORE ON SNOOKER "And as much as we want to stay here desperately, it's got to be something that fits into the overall picture of where the game is going. "This is a huge game. "We mustn't be parochial in our attitude. "As long as everyone understands that and comes to the party in a reasonable and respectful way, I'm hopeful we can stay here. Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "We must know by the end of the year. "The clock is ticking." 'Not fit for purpose' - Barry Hearn slams Crucible with World Snooker Championship tipped to 'travel around world' The Snooker World Championship started in 1927 but has been played at the Crucible since 1977. The 50-year deal lasts until 2027. But His close business ties to Saudi Arabia could make the Middle East an option while Xintong's popularity could make China a potential destination. Further talks with Sheffield Council are expected in the coming months to try and find a solution to extend snooker's star at its "spiritual home". Hearn earlier stated: 'I want a bit more respect. We love Sheffield. We love the Crucible. 3 'In any relationship if the other side doesn't love you back, it's destined for failure. 'So, at the moment we're engaged and I'm hoping in the next few months we're going to get married again. Let's keep our fingers crossed. 'Both sides are really happy here with each other, but we can't turn away from the realities of sports life, which is centred around prize money. 'We have to do something big for the players because they deserve it. This event's going to be seen by 300-400 million people. Does it get the respect? 'This is a major event in England. But there's a huge amount of money outside of the UK to stage the World Snooker Championship." But Hearn will be keen to get the winning cheque up to match the £1million for the darts world champion. World Snooker Championship 2025 THE World Snooker Championship has concluded after a thrilling final! Follow all the reaction with SunSport's live blog of the World Snooker Championship Latest News Snooker Explained FULL results for 2025 How much prize money was won? Who were the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? What is on Zhao Xintong's bow tie?
Sydney Morning Herald
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Zhao becomes first Chinese world champ
Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams 18-12 in the final to become the first Chinese player to win the Snooker World Championship.
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
What snooker stars really think about Zhao Xintong after 'really stupid' blast and Crucible win
Chinese star Zhao Xintong celebrated his maiden Snooker World Championship success at the Crucible after beating Mark Williams and many have spoken out on his talents both before and in the aftermath Zhao Xintong has written himself into snooker history. The 28-year-old became the first Chinese player ever to win the World Championship at the Crucible this week. The Cyclone secured his maiden title by beating Mark Williams 18-12 in the final in Sheffield. And the celebrations were certainly notable. Zhao 's success comes after what has been a rollercoaster few years for the eventual champion. He only returned to the table last year after serving a 20-month ban for being embroiled in a match-fixing scandal alongside nine of his compatriots. Naturally, a number of his snooker colleagues have shared their thoughts on his victory, talents and suspension. Take a look at some of the best of them below. Ronnie O'Sullivan It goes without saying that The Rocket is a big fan of Zhao, despite being on the wrong end of a 17-7 thumping against the Chinese star in the world championship semi-finals. Speaking ahead of the final, he said: "I think it would be amazing. 'If he did win, he would be a megastar. He's still very big in China as it is. But if he becomes world champion it would just be amazing for snooker and for his life as well. He can definitely get over the line." O'Sullivan has regularly been touted as a mentor for Zhao, a role that he is happy to take on. He added: 'I know we've got a really nice relationship, I'm always trying to help him if I can. "He wanted the crowd to give me a clap at the end but it was Zhao's moment, I tried to get off as quickly as I could because it was his moment to enjoy." Mark Williams Beaten finalist Williams has also spoken out on Zhao's talents and has even compared him to O'Sullivan. Speaking after his defeat, the Welshman said: 'He (Zhao) is as good to watch as O'Sullivan was when he was younger. 'He just strolls around the table and pots balls from anywhere as if he doesn't have a care in the world. Xintong is going to be a national hero now. "He'll be on the front page of every news outlet going and I'm sure there are Chinese companies ready to throw zillions at him. It's great for our sport to have someone at the top who is so attacking and so young.' Elliot Slessor There has also been a kind comment from Elliot Slessor, who Zhao beat in qualifying for the world championship. Taking to social media, he said: 'I said it then and will say it again I've played them all nobody pots balls like this kid the consistency in the long game and to make tough shots look easy is staggering congratulations to Xintong and @Vics_Snooker incredible stuff.' Chris Wakelin And while the majority have chosen to focus on Zhao's memorable victory, the same cannot quite be said of Chris Wakelin. Beaten by the eventual winner in the quarter-finals, he claimed that Zhao was misguided in getting wrapped up in the match fixing scandal in the first place. He said: "I don't know because I've not been suspended. I don't do silly things. I don't make silly mistakes. We're all aware of the dangers when we get on tour. You get involved in that sort of thing, you're gonna get punished for it, you learn a hard lesson. 'He is back on tour now, but he has missed out on two years in his mid-twenties, which should be the golden stage in his career. 'I've had no doubt that he'll go on to have several successes down the line now that he is back. But it was really stupid, the whole situation for all those guys that got involved. But in terms of where Zhao's going, I think he's got his better days in front of him now. "He served his time, you know, the WPBSA dealt with it externally, the whole case was dealt with in a professional way. They did exactly what they should have done. 'He served that sentence, he's more than welcome to come back and try his best again because he's a great asset to our sport. He just needs to stay on the right side of things." Steve Davis On the topic of his ban, Steve Davis was more keen on hailing Zhao for his success and not his misstep. He said: "I think we should celebrate [his World Championship win], the fact he plays breath-taking snooker. "Obviously the blip, it's a stain on his CV - hopefully lessons have been learnt, by all players [and] not just him. I think most people would agree everyone deserves a second chance. And, boy, hasn't he taken it." John Parrott Away from the sport's current stars, former Crucible champion John Parrott has also had his say and he was not afraid to tout Zhao for big things. He said: "We have been talking about it for years and years. 'Ding has been close and a real ambassador for China, but Zhao being in the final means the viewing figures will be off the charts. Just imagine what it will do for the game over there. "It has been a phenomenal achievement. He is brilliantly talented. There does not look to be any fatigue involved. He is just waltzing around the table. He is almost like a ghost, he floats around the place and looks very similar to Jimmy White in his younger days." Barry Hearn Snooker chief Barry Hearn has also offered his take and has praised Zhao for overcoming his suspension and establishing himself right at the top of global snooker. He said: "He has served a ban for what some people would call a very minor offence. "He's a quality player and I think he's a nice young man. Rules are rules and you take it on the chin. If you make a mistake in life, you don't look back, you look forward. "He's looking forward to being world snooker champion. That's his dream. When you've paid a price for something the slate's clear, otherwise you have no life forever."
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Mark Williams' vast net worth gets boost after making World Championship final
Mark Williams' vast net worth gets boost after making World Championship final The 50-year-old snooker veteran took home a sizeable prize fund despite losing out in the World Championship final. Mark Williams reached the final of the World Snooker Championship (Image:) Mark Williams has bolstered his net worth after finishing as runner-up in the Snooker World Championship. The Welshman lost 18-12 to Zhao Xintong in the final at the Crucible in Sheffield after becoming the oldest-ever player to make it that far in the tournament at 50 years old. Xintong became the first-ever Asian player and amateur to win the competition, and along with that success, he's been rewarded with £500,000 in prize money. While Williams won't be seeing a figure that large, he has still managed to pocket a cool £200,000 for his efforts, significantly growing his net worth. According to prior to the beginning of the tournament, Williams' net worth was £7.1 million. This means that following his second place finish in the World Championship, his coffers have swelled even further. Despite pocketing that £200,000 prize money, he won't be taking home all of that. Article continues below Following his loss against Judd Trump at the 2024 Saudi Arabia Masters, where he won the same amount of prize money, he humorously remarked that "£100,000 goes to her (his wife, Joanne) and £100,000 goes to the tax man". Following the final session in Sheffield on Monday evening, Williams hit the bar at the Crucible. The man from Cwm decided to celebrate the conclusion of the tournament by getting stuck into pints of Guinness as well as what appeared to be vodka shots. He was also pictured with champion Xintong, who held the World Championship trophy while Williams pretended to punch him in the face. You can read more about that here. For Williams, attentions now turn to his lens replacement surgery, something which he is concerned about getting done. According to former snooker star Anthony Hamilton, the procedure ruined his career, which is obviously a testament that has stuck with Williams. Article continues below "I have been reading up and talking to people who have had it done and I've got to be honest, it is putting me off a bit," Williams said last week. "I've got a big decision to make. A couple of people I have spoken to, especially Anthony Hamilton at length, have said it is no good under the lights and it has ruined his career. "It has sort of put me under pressure. After this is finished, it is something I am going to have to look more into."
