Hearn: Snooker lacking characters

Sports promoter Barry Hearn insists snooker is not “down and out” but admits enigmatic world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is currently “carrying the sport on his own shoulders”.

O’Sullivan yesterday claimed the sport is “on a downward spiral”, aimed scathing criticism at its administrators, and insisted only someone with the business vision of 'X Factor' supremo Simon Cowell or Hearn could rescue it.