He is the maverick of snooker, as famed for his outbursts off the baize as for his stunning displays on it.

Over the years, Ronnie O’Sullivan has head-butted press officers, smashed up dressing rooms and dabbled in drugs.

But for fans who may have thought The Rocket had lost the art of surprise, he yesterday announced plans to live with Buddhist monks in Thailand.

Ronnie has previously spoken of an interest in the religion and of meditating to curb his stress.

He declared: “I’m going to do three months in Thailand living with the Buddhist monks.”

Ronnie O'Sullivan being inerviewed by Rachel Casey and Eurosport earlier this year (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

The five-time world champion insisted he was “totally serious”, adding: “It’s always important to have an open heart, no matter what.

"I know it’s tough but life lived from the heart feels much better then a life ruled by the head.

“The reason I think Tiger Woods is so good is because of his roots in Buddhism.”

This could be his biggest break yet.