Barry Hearn explains what snooker ‘geniuses’ Ronnie O’Sullivan, Alex Higgins and Jimmy White have in common

Barry Hearn is at pains trying to explain what Ronnie O’Sullivan, Alex Higgins and Jimmy White have contributed to the growth of professional snooker over the past six decades.

The former World Snooker Tour chairman – who also managed Eurosport pundits O’Sullivan and White during his time running Matchroom Sport – has praised the totemic triumvirate for boosting the popularity of the sport across the globe.

But he also joked that the three players have been a “pain in the a***” as green baize “geniuses” with O’Sullivan claiming seven world titles, Higgins two and White finishing Crucible runner-up on six occasions.

Asked by seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry on YouTube how the game will survive when snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan pots his final ball, Hearn said: “When Ronnie retires, I hope he has a happy life, enjoys his time and realises the contribution he has made to the sport.

“Sticks his chest out, his shoulders back and feels proud of himself.

“Alex Higgins was a pain in the a***, Jimmy White on occasions was a pain in the a***.

“But they were geniuses, and ordinary people like me have to appreciate that.

“That’s why he gets a bit of leeway every now and then, not too much, but we’d be poorer without him.”

O’Sullivan is the world No. 1 at the age of 47, 31 years after he turned professional, and continues to be the headline act in the sport as he bids to add to his record 39 ranking titles this season.

“What do we do when he retires? The next level will move in and they’ll surprise you,” said Hearn.

“And you’ll be saying three years after that: Ronnie O’Sullivan? Is he as good as Sid Smith or Frank Jones? Because sport evolves.

“If the sport is vibrant, as we must ensure it always is, superstars will come through.”

Hearn has always enjoyed a colourful relationship with O’Sullivan and his verbal jousts with officialdom.

“But I am pleased to see him playing quite a lot right now because he is a legend, and legends don’t last forever so we want to see him as much as we can.

“He is the No. 1 draw in the world still and gives ticket sales a big boost, no question.

“And I think Essex is big enough for the both of us – I am getting a lot softer and more mellow anyway.”