Artist Hirst backs snooker star Ronnie

Snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan's latest victory at the Telford International Centre was picture perfect for celebrity fan Damien Hirst.

World famous artist Hirst is a massive snooker enthusiast and was in the crowd last night as O'Sullivan thrashed Peter Ebdon 9-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Pukka Pies UK Championship.

Also in the crowd supporting "the Rocket" was Shropshire's international long-distance runner Chris Davies.

Postman Davies first struck up a friendship with O'Sullivan in 2007 when the running-mad star linked up with Telford Athletics Club to help stay fit on his off days from the table. And Davies, who lives in Newdale, Telford, and hopes to make the Welsh squad for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, has enjoyed spending time in another sporting arena.

"Ronnie played well last night," he said. "He looks back on form and he was pleased when I saw him briefly after the match.

"It was good to meet Damien Hirst as well. He's a nice guy, quite down-to-earth. He went back home last night for a meeting but I believe he's coming back tonight."

O'Sullivan plays "the jester from Leicester" Mark Selby in the last eight tomorrow.