Ronnie O’Sullivan exclusive: World snooker champion on how he beat self-doubt to lift seventh title

Who needs the Rovers Return when you have the Rocket’s return? Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump’s very own epic kitchen-sink drama in Yorkshire last Monday evening proved more engaging for the great British public than Coronation Street or EastEnders on the other two main terrestrial TV channels. Ad/> Almost six million viewers piped themselves into O’Sullivan’s rousing 18-13 win over Trump that saw him battle to a magnificent seventh world title and equal Stephen Hendry’s historic haul from the 1990s. Snooker'A dream come true' – Walker hits back to deny White in World Seniors finalYESTERDAY AT 03:34 Betty Turpin’s hot pots from Corrie were never as tasty as the hot pots Rocket Ronnie can serve up.

In discovering the level of snooker’s popularity from a breathless 17 days at the 46th World Championship, O’Sullivan said: “Oh really? Wow. Amazing. It is brilliant getting more viewers than Coronation Street.

/> “It is a long time playing at the World Championship, a lot of stress and I'm just recovering. It is hard work, but it was job done, so worth it.” With O’Sullivan installed as 7/2 favourite for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ahead of Tyson Fury – the world heavyweight boxing champion of all things and a genuine sporting goliath – it felt like a trip down memory lane to an era when snooker was the only show in town. «In the 1980s when there were only four channels, everybody thought they knew you.