SNOOKER’S BIGGEST NAME Ronnie O’Sullivan last week rang organisers of the world championships in a bid to pull out of the tournament.

The mercurial ‘Rocket’ is currently enduring the most barren period of his career; since taking the Premier League title in November, he has not won a match.

Last Thursday, the Guardian reports, O’Sulivan phoned officials, asking to be left out of the game’s biggest event – one which he was won three times. When asked for written confirmation he had ‘a change of heart’ and will now face Dominic Dale in the first-round, which starts on Monday.

O’Sullivan has also been persuaded to work with a psychiatrist, Dr Steve Peters.  ”A friend said to me in China that I should see this bloke. I’ll try anything that might work,” O’Sullivan said.

O’Sullivan is the most popular player on the circuit, loved by fans for his flamboyant playing style and fascinating personality.

He has battled demons for many years however and has recently endured a very messy divorce and financial dispute with the mother of his children, Jo Langley.