Ronnie O'Sullivan match was stopped by snooker referee with security called

 Ronnie O'Sullivan was halted in his tracks by the referee at one tournament

Ronnie O'Sullivan has taken an extended break from snooker this year

Ronnie O’Sullivan was forced to wait for a fan to be ejected during his first round encounter with Gary Wilson at the 2017 World Snooker Championship. The Rocket was leading 5-4 and was about to step up to the table when match official Brendan Moore addressed an issue in the crowd.

O’Sullivan has enjoyed a remarkable career in snooker and has won a joint-record seven World Championship titles alongside Stephen Hendry. But he has taken an extended break from the game this year following his withdrawal at the Championship League in January. The 49-year-old snapped his cue and struck the table during his clash with Robert Milkins before leaving the arena. He has since pulled out of a string of tournaments.

O’Sullivan has been tipped to return to action at the World Championship in April, where he could topple Hendry as the most successful player in Crucible history.

He has plenty of experience in Sheffield but was involved in a bizarre incident at the venue eight years ago as he attempted to get the better of Wilson.

Referee Moore turned to the crowd after he heard a noise and demanded the removal of a sleeping spectator.

Ronnie O'Sullivan had a World Snooker Championship clash disrupted by a sleeping fan in 2017

Beckoning security, Moore exclaimed: “Excuse me - hang on a second Ronnie - come down. I need this guy out, he needs to go.”

Pointing towards the fan, he added: “Martin, out. This one here. Yeah, he needs to go. Straight out.”

BBC commentator John Virgo told viewers: “There’s a slight problem with someone in the audience. Looks as though he’s not too well.” But Moore continued: “Yeah, you need to go please sir. Just take him out, gone, yeah.

The match proved to be an enthralling affair, with O’Sullivan winning the disrupted frame to take a 6-4 lead after Wilson had fought back from 5-1 down. The Rocket then increased his advantage to 9-5, before his opponent won two frames on the bounce. O’Sullivan eventually clinched the match 10-7 to set up a second-round showdown with Shaun Murphy.

The seven-time champion eased past Murphy as he defeated his rival 13-7 but was then dumped out of the tournament by Ding Junhui at the quarter-final stage.

O’Sullivan had to wait another three years to win his next title at the Crucible as he lifted the trophy for the sixth time with victory over Kyren Wilson in 2020. He then claimed his seventh win in Sheffield when he overcame Judd Trump in the showpiece match in 2022.