Ken Doherty’s split from wife, awkward Ronnie O’Sullivan relationship, £300m celebrity pal

 Ken Doherty is one of snooker's most iconic figures, with the Irishman having enjoyed a career at the top of the sport, but his life away from the baize has been eventful

Ken Doherty is one of snooker's biggest characters

Snooker legend Ken Doherty is one of the sport's most iconic characters. The 55-year-old, Dublin-born star is the sport's only World Champion from the Republic of Ireland, having clinched the title in 1997 by defeating Stephen Hendry.

Still on the baize, Doherty also works as a pundit for the BBC. While he's not playing at the World Championships this year, he is offering his insight through his analyst duties.

From his personal trials and tribulations to his celebrity lifestyle and his infamous relationship with Ronnie O'Sullivan, we take a closer look at the man affectionately known as 'Crafty Ken'.

Relationship with a movie star

In one of the most unexpected pairings, the 1997 snooker world champ met up with martial arts and film superstar Jackie Chan in Hong Kong in 2019. The two reportedly enjoyed a friendly game of snooker followed by a karaoke session.

Ken Doherty spent time with Jackie Chan in 2019

With Chan's hefty fortune of £300 million, it's safe to say they had a good time, reports Wales Online. Doherty didn't shy away from sharing the experience, posting on social media: "Great to meet Jackie Chan here in HK, gonna teach him some of my moves."

Split from wife

Doherty experienced a significant shift in his private life when he and his wife Sarah decided to part ways in 2022 after two decades together. Married since 2001, Doherty has described their separation as "an amicable split" and emphasised their continued friendship and commitment to raising their son Christian together.

When speaking to EVOKE about his break up and the prospect of dating again, he said: "It's strange. When you get married you think it is for life. But if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.

Ken Doherty says he and his ex-wife Sarah are focused on their son, Christian, pictured.

"I think the most important thing for me and from the separation from my wife was that it hasn't affected my son. And my son and I are very, very close. It's a strange thing but life goes on."

Clashes with Ronnie O'Sullivan

The snooker world has seen its fair share of rivalries, but the dynamic between Doherty and the legendary O'Sullivan, 49, is particularly intriguing. Their history stretches back to their youth, when they used to practice together.

However, their relationship soured over time. In a notable incident in 2020, O'Sullivan made a controversial comment suggesting he'd have to "lose an arm and a leg to fall out of the top 50", which didn't sit well with Doherty.

He hit back: "Name another sportsman that would slag off the rest of the tour saying they are not that good." Doherty also expressed concern that O'Sullivan's comments could harm his standing with fellow players, saying: "All of those players look up to Ronnie and he has a duty to them as an ambassador to the game."

Ken Doherty and Ronnie O'Sullivan have an intriguing relationship on and off the table

There was even a period where the two snooker figures would "blank" each other, according to Doherty. "Ronnie and I used to play in the same club," he said.

"Over the years when we were professionals, we had our differences and we wouldn't always play together. We sort of blanked each other for a while." Despite this, they did come together briefly in 1997 to practice for the World Championships.

Doherty had his BBC colleagues in stitches earlier this year when he made a cheeky comment about O'Sullivan's no-show at the Masters, following The Rocket's Championship League tantrum, where he bashed his cue on the table after fluffing an easy shot.

Doherty couldn't resist poking fun at O'Sullivan's new coaching partnership with Lee Walker. Chatting to Hazel Irvine and Stephen Hendry, Doherty joked: "I was ribbing him in the practice room, Lee Walker," and added, "I said, 'how's it going with Ronnie O'Sullivan?

"After a month with him he has smashed up his cue and pulled out of the Masters", which sent Hendry and Irvine into fits of laughter.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ken Doherty haven't always been on the best of terms with one another

The snooker legend also opened up about the uncomfortable situation following his 1998 Irish Masters victory, which came under bizarre circumstances after O'Sullivan was disqualified due to failing a drug test for cannabis.

Despite O'Sullivan initially beating Doherty 9-3 in the final, the title and the £60,000 prize money were handed over to Doherty after the disqualification.

Reflecting on the incident, Doherty humorously remarked that it must have been the "most expensive joint he's [O'Sullivan's] ever smoked in his life".

"He never spoke to me for about six months afterwards," Doherty said. "I was told a couple of weeks afterwards. I didn't think I was going to get anything, he had to send me a letter of apology. He was absolutely gutted. I wasn't, though."