Ronnie O'Sullivan: Snooker's complex genius driven by family demons

Ronnie "Rocket" O'Sullivan equalled Stephen Hendry's record of seven world snooker titles in Sheffield on Monday but he has more in common with another complex and outspoken world champion, Tyson Fury, than the unflashy Scotsman.

Like heavyweight boxing champion Fury, O'Sullivan has battled his demons - namely depression.

The 46-year-old, who produced some outstanding snooker to beat Judd Trump 18-13 in the final at the Crucible, found solace in drink and drugs before having a Eureka moment and deciding they were no crutch at all. Running eventually proved to be the cure.

"I was depressed because I'd stopped drinking and taking drugs, but I only drank and took drugs in the first place because I was depressed," he said in his 2013 autobiography "Running".

"Ultimately I'd rather be clean and depressed than on drugs and depressed."

"It's just nice to share it with family."@ronnieo147 is the 7x Betfred World Snooker Champion.What a way to equal the record.#ilovesnooker @wearewst #snookerworldchampionship pic.twitter.com/gZQQ3KNkLQ

O'Sullivan's strength of character was reflected by the masterful way he played while his father Ronnie senior was serving an 18-year prison sentence for murder.

The then teenager and his sister Danielle, who was just eight, were soon left to fend for themselves as their mother Maria was also given a prison term for tax evasion - sex bookshops had been the source of the family's money.

Danielle was looked after by family friends while O'Sullivan forged on with his career.

His father, who was released in 2009, was found guilty of the 1992 murder of Bruce Bryan - once a driver for Charlie Kray, the elder brother of the notorious London gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray.

"I suppose it was a lot to deal