Ronnie O’Sullivan Explains Why He Had No Best Man at Wedding to EastEnders Star Laila Rouass
“I hate being the host”: Snooker legend reveals details behind his quiet ceremony and new life in Dubai
A Private Wedding, Just the Way He Wanted
Snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan has opened up about his intimate wedding to EastEnders star Laila Rouass, revealing that he didn’t have a best man—or many guests at all—because that’s exactly how he preferred it.
In a candid interview with The Times, the seven-time world champion said the low-key ceremony, held earlier this year in Shadwell, was a conscious decision to avoid the spotlight.
“I didn’t actually have anyone there,” O’Sullivan shared. “We had Laila’s sisters, but we didn’t want nothing big. I’m just not into all that stuff. I f***** hate being the host. I can’t stand it.”*
A Fresh Start in Dubai
Following their wedding, O’Sullivan and Rouass made a major life change, relocating to Dubai to begin a new chapter together. And for O’Sullivan, the simplicity of life in the UAE capital is exactly what he needed.
“We’re not there for a bouji sort of lifestyle. I just like the simplicity of it there. The weather is great.”
He even admits that not knowing the language has been an unexpected blessing, reducing social pressure.
“One of the beauties of not knowing the language is I don’t really want to talk to everyone that I come in contact with. I know it sounds terrible but we just smile at each other, hello, and it’s good.”
Disconnecting to Reconnect
In keeping with his new minimalist lifestyle, the snooker star has also cut ties with social media and messaging apps. He’s deleted nearly everything from his phone except for basic contacts.
“I wish I’d done it before. I might do it every six months. I’m not looking to progress my career through networking and that sort of thing. I’ve got my friends and that’s enough.”
It’s a stark contrast from the demands of fame and public life, and O’Sullivan seems perfectly at ease with it.
Investing in the Sport’s Future
Despite stepping back from public life, O’Sullivan is still heavily involved in snooker. He recently helped launch a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia, a project aimed at developing top-tier global talent.
As part of the initiative, he travels regularly from Dubai to mentor rising stars, bringing his decades of experience to the table—literally.