Ronnie O'Sullivan quitting UK alongside actress Laila Rouass as he ‘can't go to shop without being asked for a selfie'
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has upped sticks from the UK because he couldn't get a moment's peace when he stepped out of his front door.
After being dumped out of the Snooker World Championship, O'Sullivan revealed his intention to leave the UK and move to the Middle East.
3
3
'The Rocket', fresh off his reconciliation with actress Laila Rouass, has reportedly set his sights on making Dubai his permanent new home.
A better quality of life is no doubt one of the reasons O'Sullivan is set to make the UAE his new home.
But the ability to walk the streets without being hounded for a selfie is also one of the reasons he's decided to leave Old Blighty.
His long-time manager Jason Francis told The Express: "Ronnie's moved out to the Middle East for a while.
"You'll probably see him first in Shanghai. He's had a little break from the UK.
'You're talking about someone who can't go to the shop without being asked for a selfie, a photo.
"Where he is, he's finding a life a little bit quieter at the moment.
'Ronnie's Ronnie. He'll decide when he wants to play and everyone knows he can come from nowhere to win a major tournament.
'I'd rather not have the snooker, just a normal family' - Inside Ronnie O'Sullivan's troubled childhood
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has enjoyed an incredible career as snooker's biggest star.
But the Rocket's turbulent past has led to struggles with mental health, addiction and yo-yo weight battles.
O'Sullivan's parents ran a chain of sex shops in Essex and his father was jailed for 20 years for murder when he was just 16.
In the Amazon documentary The Edge of Everything, the snooker icon admitted his dad going to prison had a profound effect.
He said: "I didn't want to blame everything on that situation with my dad, but I was thinking, 'I'd rather not have the snooker. just a normal family'. Because… It was a dream, but looking back, it was a nightmare."
Just a year later, Ronnie became the youngest ever UK Champion, seven days before his 18th birthday. Then at 19, in 1994, he became the youngest Masters champion.
But he has already begun to binge on drink and drugs and, when his mum was sent to prison for tax evasion, in 1996, he struggled to cope with looking after his eight–year-old sister alone.
'You won't see Ronnie play a full schedule [this season] but I think you'll see him try and properly prepare for the tournaments he plays in.
"He'll still be the sport's most commercial player in the short-term.
"Whether Zhao Xintong or [Judd] Trump can pick up that mantle now as we transition.
"Ronnie will be 50 in December, people have to remember that.
"They still expect him to turn up and win everything.'
Reflecting on O'Sullivan's semi-final exit at the Crucible at the hands of Xintong, Francis said: "Absolutely incredible.
'He didn't even have a cue a few weeks before! But that's Ronnie for you.
"He had one bad session [losing all eight frames in the second session].
'I'm not saying he could have beaten Xintong – there was a feeling his name was on the trophy.
"But apart from one bad session, he was still toe to toe with him.
'I think if he had beaten Xintong, him and Mark Williams would have been an incredible final.
3
"But it's great for snooker to have a Chinese world champion and it's for World Snooker to exploit that.'
The Sun exclusively revealed O'Sullivan's reconciliation with Rouass, whom he was separated from for nine months.
A source said: 'They have been back together for a while. The time apart gave them time to think about what they want and what is important to them — and that is being together.
'Ronnie is moving to the Middle East and Laila is going with him.
"They've talked about living in Dubai, which is just a two-hour flight from where Ronnie has his snooker academy in Saudi Arabia.
"He has spoken to people on his snooker circuit about the move and is excited about a clean break from the UK for him and Laila.
'They have had their issues in the past but Ronnie and Laila have worked through it and seem really happy again.
'The people who know them think they make a great couple and just want them to live a happy, quiet life.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Ronnie O'Sullivan quitting UK alongside actress Laila Rouass as he ‘can't go to shop without being asked for a selfie'
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has upped sticks from the UK because he couldn't get a moment's peace when he stepped out of his front door. After being dumped out of the Snooker World Championship, O'Sullivan revealed his intention to leave the UK and move to the Middle East. 3 3 'The Rocket', fresh off his reconciliation with actress Laila Rouass, has reportedly set his sights on making Dubai his permanent new home. A better quality of life is no doubt one of the reasons O'Sullivan is set to make the UAE his new home. But the ability to walk the streets without being hounded for a selfie is also one of the reasons he's decided to leave Old Blighty. His long-time manager Jason Francis told The Express: "Ronnie's moved out to the Middle East for a while. "You'll probably see him first in Shanghai. He's had a little break from the UK. 'You're talking about someone who can't go to the shop without being asked for a selfie, a photo. "Where he is, he's finding a life a little bit quieter at the moment. 'Ronnie's Ronnie. He'll decide when he wants to play and everyone knows he can come from nowhere to win a major tournament. 'I'd rather not have the snooker, just a normal family' - Inside Ronnie O'Sullivan's troubled childhood RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has enjoyed an incredible career as snooker's biggest star. But the Rocket's turbulent past has led to struggles with mental health, addiction and yo-yo weight battles. O'Sullivan's parents ran a chain of sex shops in Essex and his father was jailed for 20 years for murder when he was just 16. In the Amazon documentary The Edge of Everything, the snooker icon admitted his dad going to prison had a profound effect. He said: "I didn't want to blame everything on that situation with my dad, but I was thinking, 'I'd rather not have the snooker. just a normal family'. Because… It was a dream, but looking back, it was a nightmare." Just a year later, Ronnie became the youngest ever UK Champion, seven days before his 18th birthday. Then at 19, in 1994, he became the youngest Masters champion. But he has already begun to binge on drink and drugs and, when his mum was sent to prison for tax evasion, in 1996, he struggled to cope with looking after his eight–year-old sister alone. 'You won't see Ronnie play a full schedule [this season] but I think you'll see him try and properly prepare for the tournaments he plays in. "He'll still be the sport's most commercial player in the short-term. "Whether Zhao Xintong or [Judd] Trump can pick up that mantle now as we transition. "Ronnie will be 50 in December, people have to remember that. "They still expect him to turn up and win everything.' Reflecting on O'Sullivan's semi-final exit at the Crucible at the hands of Xintong, Francis said: "Absolutely incredible. 'He didn't even have a cue a few weeks before! But that's Ronnie for you. "He had one bad session [losing all eight frames in the second session]. 'I'm not saying he could have beaten Xintong – there was a feeling his name was on the trophy. "But apart from one bad session, he was still toe to toe with him. 'I think if he had beaten Xintong, him and Mark Williams would have been an incredible final. 3 "But it's great for snooker to have a Chinese world champion and it's for World Snooker to exploit that.' The Sun exclusively revealed O'Sullivan's reconciliation with Rouass, whom he was separated from for nine months. A source said: 'They have been back together for a while. The time apart gave them time to think about what they want and what is important to them — and that is being together. 'Ronnie is moving to the Middle East and Laila is going with him. "They've talked about living in Dubai, which is just a two-hour flight from where Ronnie has his snooker academy in Saudi Arabia. "He has spoken to people on his snooker circuit about the move and is excited about a clean break from the UK for him and Laila. 'They have had their issues in the past but Ronnie and Laila have worked through it and seem really happy again. 'The people who know them think they make a great couple and just want them to live a happy, quiet life.'
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Ronnie O'Sullivan's snooker plans become clearer after reuniting with girlfriend Laila Rouass
Ronnie O'Sullivan's snooker plans become clearer after reuniting with girlfriend Laila Rouass Ronnie O'Sullivan plans for the new snooker season have emerged following the news that the seven-time world champion has reconciled with long-term partner Laila Rouass Ronnie O'Sullivan and Laila Rouass have got back together (Image: Getty ) Ronnie O'Sullivan's manager has revealed the snooker icon's plans for the new season following a tumultuous 2024/25 campaign both on and off the table. The Rocket's frustrations peaked during a round of Championship League action in January when he snapped his cue in anger and subsequently withdrew from the Masters at Alexandra Palace and host of other tournaments. Equipped with a new cue, he made a much-anticipated comeback at the World Championship in April, reaching the semi-finals despite ongoing equipment issues. After losing to eventual champion Zhao Xintong, O'Sullivan announced his plans to relocate to the Middle East, where he has a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia in his name. In personal news, the Rocket is reportedly back together with actress Laila Rouass, following their split nine months ago. The pair are rumoured to be planning for a new life in Dubai, a two-hour flight away from his Riyadh-based academy. Jason Francis, O'Sullivan's long-standing manager, revealed that the 49-year-old has been thriving in his new environment and anticipates his participation in the Shanghai Masters, a prestigious invitational event commencing on July 28. "Ronnie's moved out to the Middle East for a while. You'll probably see him first in Shanghai. He's had a little break from the UK," Francis told the Express. Article continues below O'Sullivan is enjoying life in the Middle East (Image: Getty ) "You're talking about someone who can't go to the shop without being asked for a selfie, a photo. Where he is, he's finding a life a little bit quieter at the moment. "Ronnie's Ronnie. He'll decide when he wants to play and everyone knows he can come from nowhere to win a major tournament. You won't see Ronnie play a full schedule [this season] but I think you'll see him try and properly prepare for the tournaments he plays in. "He'll still be the sport's most commercial player in the short-term. Whether Zhao Xintong or [Judd] Trump can pick up that mantle now as we transition... Ronnie will be 50 in December, people have to remember that. They still expect him to turn up and win everything." O'Sullivan will pick and choose his tournaments this season (Image: Getty ) While still struggling with his game, making the last four at the Crucible was an impressive feat after so long out. On O'Sullivan's performance at the World Championship, Francis added: "Absolutely incredible. He didn't even have a cue a few weeks before! Article continues below "But that's Ronnie for you. He had one bad session [losing all eight frames in the second session]. I'm not saying he could have beaten Xintong - there was a feeling his name was on the trophy - but apart from one bad session, he was still toe to toe with him. "I think if he had beaten Xintong, him and Mark Williams would have been an incredible final. But it's great for snooker to have a Chinese world champion and it's for World Snooker to exploit that over there." The Shanghai Masters will see the top 16 players in the world rankings joined by the next four highest-ranked Chinese players. The tournament boasts a prize fund of £825,000, with the winner banking £210,000.
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
Ronnie O'Sullivan enjoying 'quieter life' as manager reveals snooker plans for season after quitting UK
Jason Francis, Ronnie O'Sullivan's long-serving manager, has explained the Rocket's plans for the new snooker season as he enjoys his new life in the Middle East Ronnie O'Sullivan's manager has revealed the snooker icon's plans for the new season after a tumultuous 2024/25 campaign both on and off the table. The Rocket's struggles reached a climax during a Championship League match in January. He snapped his cue in frustration, discarded it, and promptly withdrew from the Masters at Alexandra Palace, a title he was set to defend. That led to a string of other late tournament pull-outs, leaving fans eager to see the seven-time world champion in action feeling let down. Equipped with a new cue, he made his much-anticipated return to the World Championship in April, reaching the semi-finals despite ongoing equipment problems. After his loss to eventual winner Zhao Xintong, O'Sullivan disclosed his plans to relocate to the Middle East, where he has a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia, sparking fresh uncertainty about his future in the sport. Meanwhile, the Rocket has reportedly reconciled with actress Laila Rouass, following a split from his long-term partner nine months ago. The pair are said to be planning for a new life in Dubai, a two-hour flight away from his academy in Riyadh. Jason Francis, the Rocket's long-time manager, says the 49-year-old has been reaping the benefits of a change of scenery and anticipates him participating in the Shanghai Masters, a prestigious invitational event, which begins at the end of July. "Ronnie's moved out to the Middle East for a while. You'll probably see him first in Shanghai. He's had a little break from the UK," Francis told the Express. "You're talking about someone who can't go to the shop without being asked for a selfie, a photo. Where he is, he's finding a life a little bit quieter at the moment. "Ronnie's Ronnie. He'll decide when he wants to play and everyone knows he can come from nowhere to win a major tournament. You won't see Ronnie play a full schedule [this season] but I think you'll see him try and properly prepare for the tournaments he plays in. "He'll still be the sport's most commercial player in the short-term. Whether Zhao Xintong or [Judd] Trump can pick up that mantle now as we transition... Ronnie will be 50 in December, people have to remember that. They still expect him to turn up and win everything." Francis described O'Sullivan's run at the Crucible as "absolutely incredible", adding: "He didn't even have a cue a few weeks before! "But that's Ronnie for you. He had one bad session [losing all eight frames of the second session]. I'm not saying he could have beaten Xintong – there was a feeling his name was on the trophy – but apart from one bad session, he was still toe to toe with him. "I think if he had beaten Xintong, him and Mark Williams would have been an incredible final. But it's great for snooker to have a Chinese world champion and it's for World Snooker to exploit that over there." The Shanghai Masters, which begins on July 28, will see the top 16 players in the world rankings, including O'Sullivan and Zhao, joined by the next four highest-ranked Chinese players. The tournament has a prize fund of £825,000, with the winner pocketing £210,000.
