Laila Rouass confirms split from Ronnie O’Sullivan after 12 years together

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The snooker champion and British actress have ended their relationship after 12 years together. 

Laila Rouass has confirmed she has split from Ronnie O’Sullivan after 12 years together. The Footballers Wives actress shared a post on Instagram confirming the split after it was first reported in September 2024.

She wrote the caption: “Break ups can strip you down to your essence. I got through mine by using pain as fuel to take control because no matter what, we will lose parts of ourselves in relationships. It’s normal, don’t beat yourself up. One thing I’m conscious of not doing is trying to get back to what I was. No, I'm discovering who I’ve become.

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“I’ve gone through various emotions…hurt, pain, anger but what I’ve realised about anger is that it’s bottomless. It can go on and on and once you’re in that black hole…it’s very hard to drag yourself back out. Anyone going through a break up…I want to tell you that you will come out the other side. I have and I feel so much better, stronger and sexier.”

Laila contined “Life has a funny way of throwing in a plot twist here and there. I’ve even met an Arab Viking…like…how did that happen? Do they exist even? Just roll with the punches because life is so much richer, so much fuller when you drop the anger, the resentment and the regret. I’m looking back at my last relationship with a smile and wave, because time moves on and I don’t like to play catch up.”

The snooker champion, 48 and actress, 53 broke off their engagement after going in “different directions”. In September The Sun reported a friend of the couple explained: “They have been going in different directions.” The snooker star has been playing abroad and the Footballers wives actress was seen without her engagement ring when she appeared on This Morning last month. 

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Laila Rouass Ronnie O’Sullivan and Laila Rouass
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Laila Rouass | Getty Images

Since the split, a video clip has resurfaced from the Prime Video documentary The Edge Of Everything (2023) the former couple are seen having a tense exchange. Ronnie is well know for being a perfectionist and being highly critical of himself even when he wins. 

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Discussing Ronnie’s career Laila said: “I want you to do what makes you happy. I don't tell you to stop or to carry on. I would never put you in a situation like that.” She added “It's like so soul-destroying. But that's because I think you do love it, as much as you maybe hate to admit it.”

Ronnie and Laila started dating in 2012 and got engaged the following year. In February 2022, the pair announced on social media they had ended their relationship after 10 years. They soon reconciled but now it seems it is the end of the road for them. They never married and do not have any children together but they do both have kids from previous relationships. 

The snooker champion has won several awards for his snooker career and Laila is best known for playing Amber Gates in Footballers wives and recently starred as Ayesha Siddhu in EastEnders

Natalie Dixon is NationalWorld’s Lifestyle reporter. If you liked this article and want to read more about soaps, celebrities and lifestyle you can follow Natalie Dixon on X here

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