Ronnie O’Sullivan’s narrow boat was called Morfe Lady Three (Image: EUROSPORT)
Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of the globe’s most maverick-like sports personalities, leads a personal life that mirrors his enigmatic nature. O’Sullivan has advanced to the 2026 World Open final in Yushan, China, and now stands a chance to secure a record-breaking 42nd ranking title in Sunday’s match against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
The seven-time world champion is the sport’s top earner with career earnings totalling £14.73million, leading to a lavish lifestyle. The Rocket tied the knot with former Footballers’ Wives and EastEnders actress Laila Rouass in June 2025. O’Sullivan later revealed that Laila played a crucial part in their recent relocation to Dubai. The snooker ace announced plans to move to the Middle East following his semi-final departure at the World Championships in Sheffield back in 2025.
Their new home reportedly offers him more convenient travel options for tournaments across China and the Middle East. His agent also mentioned that O’Sullivan was seeking a « quieter life » abroad.
The Rocket clarified that the decision to move was also influenced by a shortage of high-quality practice snooker tables near their Essex residence, which they have since sold.
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Speaking to The Times, he said: « So I had to do a lot of trips into London, an hour and twenty minutes each way – it was a headache. So a lot of the time I was having to go to Sheffield for, like, a week to get some proper practice done. »
O’Sullivan also runs a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia and told The Sun that his contingency plan of relocating to Sheffield had met resistance from Rouass.
Laila Rouass and Ronnie O’Sullivan have relocated to Dubai (Image: Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
« It’s really good, » he said about his new life overseas. « I’ve got a great practice facility there, which was one of the main reasons for going. I was struggling to find somewhere to play. It was either get a train up to Sheffield or try to move to Sheffield.
« But my wife wasn’t too keen on Sheffield. So she said we either go to Spain or Dubai. And I thought, well, Dubai is nearer China. Obviously, it’s in the Middle East. All the tournaments that I play and all the work that I do is there. It just made sense to go to Dubai.
« Really enjoying it out there. Great gyms. I’m enjoying that side of it. I had some friends over there before that played snooker and they’ve helped me get into Dubai life. »
Spain was even contemplated by the pair, but O’Sullivan rejected the notion, adding: « There’s not really a lot to do there, is there? And there’s not a lot of tables. »
Laila Rouass and Ronnie O’Sullivan moved to Dubai in 2025 (Image: Getty)
Whilst a swift exit from Dubai, such is O’Sullivan’s fortune that he previously spent £130,000 on a canal boat. In 2018, he chose to indulge himself with the luxury narrowboat, christened Morfe Lady Three, having already possessed one the previous year.
The vessel’s substantial lounge space featured an indoor fireplace, furnishings including a sofa, an armchair, and a rug, along with a considerably sized television. O’Sullivan modestly discussed his acquisition with TV presenter Matt Smith in a Eurosport video, remarking it’s « no big yacht, but it’s alright. »
He proceeded to emphasise the advantages of his unusual acquisition, stating: « I couldn’t sit in a hotel room, but I come in, have a little kip, put the snooker on, the TV on, have a few friends come in. You don’t feel like you’re cooped up so much. It’s nice to see water. »
Nevertheless, he purportedly put his narrow boat up for sale merely a year afterwards for just under £130,000, without pursuing a replacement, as he pursued a fresh life in the Middle East.
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