World snooker champ Ronnie O’Sullivan’s eldest daughter has vowed to never let him see his three-year-old grandchild.
Taylor-Ann Magnus, 25, was not among the 4.5 million enthralled TV viewers who tuned in to watch Ronnie triumph at the Crucible last week.
She hasn’t seen him since she was in her teens and told us: “He’s not part of my life. I wouldn’t want someone like that around me and my child.”
Taylor-Ann’s mum Sally-Ann Magnus dated Ronnie for two years in the 1990s but their relationship broke down.
Ronnie only met his daughter a handful of times when she was growing up.
Taylor-Ann said: “I was 17 or 18 the last time I saw him and I forgave him within myself, although that doesn’t excuse what he did.
“The last eight years I’ve been quite happy. I’ve accepted he won’t be there and I’m OK with that. But since I had my daughter, I’ve thought ‘I really don’t want that person in my life’.”
Taylor-Ann says if Ronnie ever asked to meet her daughter, Zarah she would refuse.
Ronnie, nicknamed The Rocket, won a record-equalling seventh title when he saw off rival Judd Trump last week – but Taylor-Ann says: “I don’t watch him. I didn’t know he was in the final as I don’t have social media. I don’t follow any of it.”
After Ronnie’s win, there were emotional scenes as the 46-year-old hugged his two younger children Lily and Ronnie Jr.
Taylor-Ann said an acquaintance once sent her a photo of her dad and her teenage siblings, who Ronnie has with his ex, Jo Langley.
She said: “It is what it is. I’m glad they have that relationship with him, even if I don’t have it.”
The snooker icon pocketed £500,000 in prize money for his latest victory and revealed that he plans to spend his winnings on a rigid inflatable boat to explore the Lake District.
Since the start of his professional career in 1992, Ronnie has scooped over £8.5million, winning seven Masters and seven UK Championships as well as a record 20 Triple Crown titles on top of the seven World Championships. He’s now estimated to be worth £32million.
Taylor-Ann, meanwhile, works for a car parking firm and lives in a rented flat in Romford, Essex. She said: “I don’t want, or need his money and wouldn’t expect anything anyway.”
Taylor-Ann, who is no longer with Zarah’s dad, says she will only ever tell her daughter about her famous grandad if she has to.
She said: “It’s difficult. When she goes to school, and as the years go on, people could find things on the internet and approach her about it.
“When she gets older I might tell her as a pre-warning. I will cross that bridge when I come to it.”
Last month, we revealed Ronnie is giving it another shot with Laila Rouass, 50. In February, she announced they were splitting after 10 years together.
Ronnie was approached for comment.
