WAKE UP , RONNIE! YOUR MOVIE IS ABOUT TO START

O’Sullivan set for a first look at the film covering his 2021 glory

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN finally gets to see for the first time this evening the film that will define his legacy.

World No.1 and seventime world champion O’Sullivan is through to the second round at the Crucible as he bids to win a record eighth crown in Sheffield.

Last year’s emotional triumph was captured by a documentary film crew that had been following O’Sullivan around for the whole season.

But there have been delays to the Rocket’s 18-month project and changes to the film, meaning it is not expected to be released until later this year.

O’Sullivan said: “I’m going to watch it on Monday for the first time.

“We have got it down to two hours and it needs to be an hour and 45 minutes. I hope I don’t hate it!

“I gave it my all, and every bit of access I could to make their job easier.

“And I do know it has changed, from what they thought it was going to be. But I trust them, they make anyone look good.

“Maybe they have cut out last year’s seventh world title, and that will be missing!

“That’s what happened to John Virgo, wasn’t it?

“When he won the UK Championships, his only major, the BBC went on strike and it wasn’t filmed. How would you feel? It will be in some ways the definitive film of my life.

“Everyone seems to be intrigued by me.

“Love him, hate him, whatever…all that stuff is the Ronnie show…and I wonder how I generate that much interest, good and bad, when I just come here to hit balls. It is weird, but people will get to see the real thing.

“I want people to go away from watching it thinking I am a winner.

“I have tried my hardest all my life to compete and be the best I can, to give my whole life to snooker.

“I love it, I am grateful for what it has done for me. I have been the most successful player, along with Stephen Hendry.

“He was my hero and I am happy to share the seven world titles with him. But I am up there, and I have to pinch myself. Those snooker gods, their timing is unbelievable. Last year I was on fire when the crew were here, and it was in the stars.

“It always has been in this game, if not in my life. As far as snooker goes, everything has fallen right for me since I started playing this game.

“And then last year, who could have written that? They follow you around for a season and you win a seventh world championship aged 46.

“But it’s a good job they weren’t here for my first round this year.”