Mark Allen insists he fully deserves to be one of the favourites to win a first world title after a hugely successful 12 months on and off the table.
The 37-year-old from Northern Ireland reached somewhere near rock bottom two years ago after declaring himself bankrupt.
Allen was also embroiled in all sorts of legal troubles over his finances, and also divorce proceedings and then a separate child support battle.
But not only has the Allen chipped away at those other challenges, but the left-hander has emerged as the clear player of the season to date ahead of the World Championship.
He defended his Northern Ireland Open crown, won the UK Championship and then added the World Grand Prix success – as well as reaching the final of the British Open.
And following a long heart to heart chat with world No1 and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan about snooker and life, Allen decided to take his own health in hand.
Since a month of bingeing following last year’s blue-riband event, Allen has shed an incredible six and a half stones, making him almost unrecognisable…and a lot happier.
The current world No3 has had his critics – both over his abilities, and more recently his style of play.
But Allen reckons he has his best ever chance this year of lifting the trophy after one semi-final in 16 years at the Crucible.
Allen said: “I have deserved that tag as one of the favourites. I haven’t played my best stuff this season, but who cares? No-one will remember that in years to come.
“They just see who won what tournaments and I will be on three tournaments minimum. I know I am going there with a chance this year.
“I remember Steve Davis saying one time that he felt like I was a Championship player rather than a Premier League one. I have proved that wrong, and he has openly admitted that since.
“And I couldn’t care less on criticism of my style. If I won every tournament from now to eternity and I didn’t make a 30 break, I couldn’t care less. Just get my name on that trophy.
“I am as happy as I have been for 10 years - since I won my first ranking title or two, I was really enjoying stuff then.
“The chat with Ronnie last year was a real eye-opener for me but there were other things going on in my life which got better as well. Boxes were getting ticked.
“I am in the best physical shape I have been in for a long, long time - probably 15 years since I have looked anything remotely like this.
“I enjoyed myself after the Crucible last year - I ate and drank a bit too much for a few weeks and then I got my head down in June.
“Since then I have lost close to six-and-a-half stone. I am at a point where I am not even checking the scales anymore. Losing that weight will definitely help my snooker and help my life.
“It cannot do any harm at the Crucible. More often than not those doing well consistently at the Crucible are in good shape.
“I am doing a bit of gym work, trying to tone up a bit, and get rid of some exceed skin which I have got now.
“There is always a battle ahead. I am always trying to fight something. I am always trying to improve as well. Losing that weight will definitely help my snooker and help my life.
“There were trying times on and off the table in the past. I saw myself as a top player but my game wasn’t where I needed it to be out there on TV in big events - so I got frustrated
“But now there is so much good going on in my life right now, snooker isn’t the be-all and end-all. Don’t get me wrong, it is very important and the only thing I am good at in life.
“I want to be world No1. I want to be world champion. I make no qualms about that. But there are others good things going on, and it takes a bit of pressure off.”
