Why Ronnie O'Sullivan lived on £130,000 canal boat before finally leaving UK
Ronnie O'Sullivan has left the UK in favour of a glamorous new life in Dubai, but the snooker legend once lived on a narrow boat in London before opting to sell it after just a year
Ronnie O’Sullivan lived on a canal boat prior to leaving the UK for Dubai. The snooker icon left England this summer to embark on a new adventure in the Middle-Eastern nation, which offers a far more glitzy lifestyle than the humble £130,000 narrow boat he used to call home.
The decision was influenced by his wife, Laila Rouass, the former EastEnders and Footballers' Wives actress. The couple tied the knot in June, following an on-off relationship spanning 13 years, and just 10 months after reports emerged of their split.
O'Sullivan revealed that Rouass wasn't keen on living in Sheffield, home to the iconic Crucible Theatre. Feeling that he had nowhere else to practice in the UK, relocating to either Spain or Dubai became the best option for the pair.
The 49-year-old chose the latter, having launched a snooker academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year. The decision may have also stemmed from the UAE’s closer proximity to China, where many snooker tournaments are held.
“It’s really good. I’ve got a great practice facility there, which was one of the main reasons for going,” O'Sullivan told The Sun. “I was struggling to find somewhere to play. It was either get a train up to Sheffield or try to move to Sheffield. But my wife wasn’t too keen on Sheffield. So she said we either go Spain or Dubai.
READ MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan offers Luke Littler advice after 'phenomenal' rise and No.1 bidREAD MORE: Snooker world champion reveals health battle leaving him dizzy and unable to see“I'm really enjoying it out there. Great gyms. I’m enjoying that side of it. I had some friends over there before that played snooker and they’ve helped me get into Dubai life.”
He continued: “I’ve met some really nice friends and fitted in really well. So yeah, it’s great. I’m not a sunbather, but I’d much rather the heat than cold, if that makes sense. Spring and autumn are my favourite times.”
O’Sullivan was previously based in Chigwell, Essex, where he lived in a Victorian-style mansion until his split with Rouass last year. Despite that, the seven-time world champion had previously voiced his preference for more humble living conditions, namely residing on a boat.
In 2018, he splashed out on a £130,000 luxury narrow boat, called Morfe Lady Three. He highlighted its spaciousness as opposed to staying in hotel rooms and stated his preference for being around water. He moored it on Regent's Canal, which snakes through north and east London.
The 60-footer provided the ideal refuge from the pressures of the capital thanks to its wide range of facilities. Its spacious lounge area was adorned with an indoor fireplace, cosy furnishings such as a sofa, armchair, and rug, as well as a television. O'Sullivan humbly spoke about his purchase to TV presenter Matt Smith in a Eurosport video, saying it's “no big yacht but it's alright.”
His floating retreat was kitted out with a modern kitchen that included a double oven and a wooden oval table. The boat also boasted a bedroom with a double bed and an en-suite bathroom featuring tiled floors, redwood vanity units with granite work tops, and a large wash basin.
He told Smith: “I lived on a boat about seven or eight years ago in London and I loved it. I spent about three or four months living on it but couldn't use it because I had to get back to work - but I always had it in my mind that I'd buy another one.”
O'Sullivan went on to name the benefits of his niche purchase, adding: “I couldn't sit in a hotel room but I come in, have a little kip, put the snooker on, the TV on, have a few friends come in. You don't feel like you're cooped up so much. It's nice to see water.”
However, he reportedly put his narrow boat up for sale just a year later for £129,950, without seeking a replacement afterwards.