World Snooker Championship star 'married his aunt' and was ruthlessly mocked by mates

 One top snooker star turned heads with his marriage.

Ryan Day with his family.

Snooker star Ryan Day has not just raised eyebrows with his exploits on the World Snooker Tour, boasting career earnings of over £2million, but also with his unique family life after 'marrying his aunt'. Since turning professional in the late 90s and achieving a peak world ranking of sixth in 2010, Day's personal life grabbed as much attention as his sports mastery when he wed the younger sister of his father's second wife in 2008.

Lynsey Day, Ryan's bride, shared how their unconventional alliance became a playful banter topic among his friends. In a 2008 interview, she quipped: "Some people like to keep family at arm's length, but we're all very close – obviously."

She added: "Poor Ryan got a bit of stick from the lads at first, but he can cope with it. I know some will see it as a source of amusement that he's married his auntie, as it were. But I can see the funny side.

"When he went on his stag weekend to Malaga the guys all wore T-shirts printed with a saucy slogan about us.

"What can you do but laugh? We're all used to it now and we have a fantastic family life together."

Day is currently ranked 36th in the world after making it to his 16th Crucible tournament, beginning this campaign against 2023 champion Luca Brecel.

Ryan Day will hope to upset Luca Brecel in Sheffield. 

Day's crowning achievement came during the 2022 British Open triumph, an especially sweet victory given he'd considered retiring from snooker just prior to his win.

At the British Open in 2022, Day shared his tumultuous journey: "I lost in the UK last November and I just didn't want to play anymore. Lost first round, played absolutely awful and just couldn't face travelling...

"Started working with Chris [his coach], but started before I lost in November. That was another really dark moment in my career, but here I am in another big final and it can be a springboard for better things to come in the next few years."

Despite savouring the taste of victory at the British Open two years ago, Day has since found consistency hard to come by. He reached the Steel City tournament by coming through two rounds of qualifying, beating Sanderson Lam and Akani Songsermsawad.