Mark Selby opens up on suicide attempts as snooker star speaks about learning to live with depression

Mark Selby has revealed he tried to take his own life as he opened up on his battle with mental illness.

Snooker star Selby revealed he had been battling depression publicly in 2022 following a Masters defeat to Barry Hawkins during a dark spell that also saw his wife, Vikki, diagnosed with breast cancer - and a close family friend pass away from the same condition. Now he is urging tournament organisers and snooker chiefs to do more to support players with their mental health, as he said he'd be willing to walk away from a tournament if he was struggling.

His comments come days after Ronnie O'Sullivan pulled out of defending his Masters crown, which he was due to start by taking on Scotland's John Higgins, saying that the pressure had become too much for him to handle. O'Sullivan also called on more support for players, adding: "A lot of players suffer in silence."

Speaking on the BBC, world No.5 Selby said it took him a long time to feel confident enough to open up on his struggles, explaining: "Individual sports are very tough because there’s a lot of pressure. Once you’re out there in that arena you’re on your own. You have nobody else to turn to until after the match. It’s a very tough place.

"I tried to take my own life a couple of times when I was younger. Having lost my dad so young I didn’t know where to turn, I had nobody in my life close enough to turn to to bring me back up. I felt like life wasn’t worth living anymore, my dad was my idol and role model.

"For years I didn’t speak about it because I didn’t feel like I could. Having since spoken about it, if anyone has questions now I feel like it’s the easiest thing in the world to speak about. Being a guy as well a lot of us are embarrassed because we come