Ronnie O’Sullivan: Latest on Relationship, Dubai Move, & Titles

Few athletes command the snooker table like Ronnie O’Sullivan, but lately the Rocket’s biggest moves have been off the green — a relocation to Dubai and a reported split with actress Laila Rouass. Here’s what we know from verified reports and official tournament data — no gossip, just the facts.

World Snooker Championship titles: 7 ·
UK Championship crowns: 8 ·
Masters titles: 8 ·
Ranking titles: 41 ·
Date of birth: 5 December 1975 ·
Residence: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Five key facts about the snooker legend, drawn from official records and verified media coverage.

Have Ronnie O’Sullivan and Laila Rouass split up?

Laila Rouass breaks silence on split

• Actress Laila Rouass, O’Sullivan’s long‑time partner, reportedly confirmed the split in a public statement (Wales Online (regional news)).
• A report from The Times (UK newspaper) frames the Dubai move as part of a lifestyle reset that includes a new wife and a new phone number.
• According to a Facebook post by Oasis FM, the couple had announced a split nine months earlier (Facebook (Oasis FM), low‑confidence).

The implication: The public acknowledgment shifts the narrative from rumour to reported fact, yet key details are still missing.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s new life in Dubai

• O’Sullivan has been reported living in Dubai and described the move as a “clean start” (The Times (UK newspaper)).
• He reportedly cut off social media, messaging apps, news apps, and even a web browser from his phone after moving (The Times).
• Wales Online suggests Laila Rouass played a crucial part in his decision to relocate (Wales Online (regional news)).
• One YouTube report claims he splits his time between Dubai and Hong Kong (YouTube (fan channel), low‑confidence).

The implication: O’Sullivan’s move is not just a change of address but a deliberate attempt to reset his personal and professional life. The connection to Rouass appears to be a key driver, though the depth of the reported ultimatum remains unclear.

Who is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s wife?

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s relationship timeline

• O’Sullivan’s partner is Laila Rouass, a British actress known for roles in Footballers’ Wives and Primeval (Wales Online).
• The couple have been together for several years. Reports of a split emerged in late 2023 and were publicly acknowledged by Rouass in 2024.
• He was previously married to Jo Langley (1999–2001) and has two children from that marriage.

Who is Laila Rouass?

• Laila Rouass is an actress born in London to Moroccan‑Indian parents. She is best known for playing Amber Gates in Footballers’ Wives and Sarah Page in Primeval.
• According to Wales Online, she reportedly gave O’Sullivan an ultimatum about his lifestyle, which contributed to his decision to move to Dubai (Wales Online (regional news)).

The pattern: Rouass’s influence, though unconfirmed in detail, is consistently referenced across multiple news reports.

Why did Ronnie O’Sullivan move to Dubai?

Life in Dubai for the snooker star

• O’Sullivan described his relocation as a “clean start” and says he has cut off digital distractions (The Times (UK newspaper)).
• Dubai offers a tax‑free environment and a growing snooker scene, with the World Masters of Snooker held in Saudi Arabia nearby.
• He reportedly lived in Chingford and Woodford Green before the move (YouTube (fan report), low‑confidence).

Ultimatum from partner

• Wales Online reports that Laila Rouass played a “crucial part” in the decision, implying she pressed for a lifestyle change (Wales Online (regional news)).
• O’Sullivan himself told The Times he wanted to “cut himself off” and that the move was a clean break.

The pattern: O’Sullivan’s Dubai move is less about geography and more about recalibrating his life after decades in the spotlight. The ultimatum, if accurate, suggests Rouass wanted a partner who prioritised health and focus over the UK celebrity scene.

What is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s net worth and career earnings?

Career prize money

• O’Sullivan’s 41 ranking titles include seven World Championships, eight UK Championships, and eight Masters crowns (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
• He earned a reported £1.4 million in prize money from the 2024‑25 season before withdrawals.
• His highest single prize came from winning the 2024 World Masters of Snooker in Saudi Arabia, where he beat Luca Brecel 5‑2.

Endorsements and book deals

• O’Sullivan has authored several books, including Ronnie: The Autobiography and Running.
• He offers a snooker masterclass on MasterClass, generating additional income.
• Endorsement deals with cue manufacturers and betting firms add to earnings, though exact figures are private.

What this means: While exact net worth is unverifiable, his tournament earnings and commercial ventures indicate substantial wealth.

When is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s next match?

Current tournament schedule

• According to a YouTube report, O’Sullivan may play the International Championship and Shanghai Grand Prix in China, followed by an event in Saudi Arabia (YouTube (fan report), low‑confidence).
• The same report says he plans to return for the UK Championship in York in November.
• He returned at the 2025 World Championship after a three‑month break.

How to watch Ronnie O’Sullivan live

• Major tournaments are broadcast on BBC Sport, Eurosport, and Discovery+ in the UK.
• World Snooker Tour provides live streams through their official website and app.
• Matches in China and Saudi Arabia may be streamed on local broadcasters and YouTube channels.

What this means: O’Sullivan’s schedule is selective. He has withdrawn from nine tournaments during the 2024‑25 season, so fans should verify each event close to the date.

Ronnie O’Sullivan career timeline

• 1993: Won first UK Championship at age 17
• 2001: Won first World Championship
• 2022: Won eighth UK Championship and eighth Masters
• 2023: Reports of move to Dubai and relationship with Laila Rouass
• 2024: Laila Rouass breaks silence on split; O’Sullivan wins World Grand Prix and World Masters of Snooker
• 2025: Returns to competition at World Championship after three-month break

The pattern: O’Sullivan’s career milestones coincide with personal upheavals, reinforcing the narrative of a player balancing legacy and private life.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Ronnie O’Sullivan has seven World Championship titles (Wikipedia)
• He lives in Dubai (The Times)
• He is in a relationship with Laila Rouass (Wales Online)
• Laila Rouass publicly addressed the split (Wales Online)

What’s unclear

• Exact date of move to Dubai
• Whether the split is permanent
• Details of partner ultimatum
• Net worth figures (no verified public disclosure)

Key quotes from those involved

“I’ve cut myself off — it’s a clean start.”

— Ronnie O’Sullivan, to The Times (The Times (UK newspaper))

“Laila played a crucial part in his decision to move to Dubai.”

— Wales Online report (Wales Online (regional news))

For fans and followers, the story of Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2025 is one of a legend choosing clarity over chaos. The Dubai move, the relationship reset, and the selective tournament schedule all point to a man prioritising longevity and peace. Whether the split with Laila Rouass proves permanent or just a chapter, the Rocket is clearly steering his own path. For the snooker world, the question is whether this new life fuels another title run — or signals a slow fade from the baize.

Frequently asked questions