Ronnie: I’m James Blunt of snooker

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN believes he is now snooker’s support act.

The Rocket launched himself into an 18th Betfred World Championship quarterfinal as he beat Shaun Murphy 13-7 yesterday.

And O’Sullivan, a fivetime winner of the event, has likened himself to singer James Blunt, who will be Ed Sheeran’s opening act during the North American leg of his world tour. ‘I’m a support act and I don’t mind letting the other guys write a great album,’ said O’Sullivan.

‘I’m a bit like James Blunt, he seems a pretty cool dude. I’m happy to be invited along, bring him out for half an hour and say, “he’s still alive, he can still perform” and then I’m happy to fade into the security of life.’