ROCKET SNUB JUST ‘CRAZY’

SNOOKER legend Steve Davis says it is “crazy” that Ronnie O’Sullivan is always snubbed for the BBC Sports Personality shortlist.

The Rocket enjoyed one of the biggest nights of his life on Sunday by claiming two huge records – a 19th Triple Crown-event success and a seventh UK Championship title.

O’Sullivan (above) celebrated his 10-6 win over Mark Allen with fans and close friends, including the artist Damien Hirst. But despite 26 years of brilliance on the table, plenty of controversy off it, and a worldwide following, O’Sullivan has never seriously featured in the SPOTY shake-up.

Davis, 61, finished in the top three five times in the 1980s, while Scot Stephen Hendry came second to Paul Gascoigne in 1990.

This year’s awards take place on Sunday and Davis prays it is not too late for O’Sullivan to gatecrash the party.

Davis, a six-time world champion and now a respected TV pundit, said: “Ronnie O’Sullivan is the best British sportsman, currently. I implore those who choose the nominees later this week to put him in the mix because I think he could be a very popular winner.

“There are people who don’t see snooker as being at the same level as golf and tennis – but we do. And I would love to see him at least on the shortlist. He would throw the cat among the pigeons with the British voters, you would be astonished how many people would vote for him.

“He hasn’t ever been on the shortlist and that is

just crazy. If he were to be there, I think he’d go very close to winning it.”

O’Sullivan said: “I could have a chance but I haven’t been in the top 10 yet. I would not expect to win because snooker isn’t a massive sport.”

Hendry’s record of seven world titles at the Crucible is one that could prove too much, but O’Sullivan will give it a try. He added: “Eight would be a serious thing. Since 2014 I have refocused. I took my eye off the ball but I am back now, full time.”