**Ken Doherty: The Irish Snooker Icon’s Glittering Career, Famous Friendships, and Rocky Rivalries**
Ken Doherty is a name that resonates not only with snooker enthusiasts but also with anyone who appreciates resilience, charisma, and sporting prowess. Hailing from Dublin, the 55-year-old remains one of the sport’s most recognisable figures, both on and off the table. As the only player from the Republic of Ireland to have claimed the World Snooker Championship – his famous 1997 victory over Stephen Hendry – Doherty’s story is one steeped in both triumph and drama.
Today, Doherty balances his ongoing playing career with high-profile punditry work at the BBC, offering insightful analysis when he isn’t contending at the World Snooker Championships himself. His deep love for the sport continues to shine through, yet it is the complexities of his personal life and public interactions that have recently kept him in the spotlight.
The snooker star surprised fans in 2019 by forging an unlikely friendship with international film icon Jackie Chan. The two legends crossed paths in Hong Kong, where they enjoyed a game of snooker together before making their way to a local karaoke bar. Jackie Chan, worth an estimated £300 million, is known for his martial arts prowess and box office hits – a far cry from the world of professional snooker. Doherty took to social media to commemorate the evening, cheekily suggesting he would “teach [Chan] some of [his] moves.” The encounter showcased Doherty’s easy charm and ability to mingle effortlessly with celebrities well beyond sporting circles.
Away from the glitz and glamour, Doherty’s personal life has seen its own fair share of ups and downs. After more than two decades of marriage, he announced his separation from wife Sarah in 2022. The couple, who married in 2001, share a close bond with their son, Christian. Despite the challenges of parting ways, Doherty described the split as “amicable,” focusing on their commitment to co-parenting and maintaining a strong father-son relationship. Speaking candidly to the Irish media, he reflected: “When you get married you think it is for life. But if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. The most important thing is that it hasn’t affected my son. Life goes on.”
While his personal life has been marked by major changes, Doherty’s professional journey has also been punctuated by a complicated relationship with fellow snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan. The two began as friendly competitors, often practising together in their early years. However, tensions emerged as their fortunes rose. In 2020, O’Sullivan sparked controversy by claiming he would have to “lose an arm and a leg to fall out of the top 50,” dismissing the abilities of other tour players. Doherty was quick to respond, questioning O’Sullivan’s responsibility as an ambassador for snooker: “Name another sportsman that would slag off the rest of the tour saying they are not that good.” Doherty also warned that such comments could damage the Rocket’s relationships with his peers.
Their rivalry hasn’t always been bitter, but it has certainly been eventful. Doherty once recalled periods when the two would “blank each other” at tournaments, though they did put past differences aside to practise together ahead of the 1997 World Championships. Even in recent years, Doherty’s witty remarks about O’Sullivan have kept BBC audiences entertained, including a memorable jibe after O’Sullivan’s heated moment at the Championship League, which left pundits Stephen Hendry and Hazel Irvine in stitches.
Perhaps the most sensational chapter in their rivalry came after the 1998 Irish Masters. O’Sullivan, after defeating Doherty in the final, was stripped of the title – and the £60,000 winner’s cheque – following a positive test for cannabis. Doherty, who was declared the winner, recalled the strained aftermath: “He never spoke to me for about six months afterwards … I was told a couple of weeks after the final. 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.” Doherty later joked that it was the “most expensive joint [O’Sullivan’s] ever smoked.”
Throughout all the personal heartbreak, celebrity encounters, and fiery clashes with rivals, Ken Doherty remains a compelling figure in the world of snooker. His journey is a testament to the highs and lows that accompany a life spent in the sporting limelight – and he continues to endear himself to fans, both for his achievements at the table and for his candidness outside the arena.