Ronnie O’Sullivan and David Beckham unveiled The Edge of Everything on Tuesday night (Picture: Getty Images)
David Beckham and Ronnie O’Sullivan working together on a new documentary may have seemed like a surprise for some, but the two sporting icons go a long way back.
Beckham’s Studio 99 produced the new film about the Rocket, Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything, which premiered on Tuesday night.
The Manchester United and England legend revealed at the premiere that he has long been a snooker fan and has known O’Sullivan for years, even saying that a night with the Rocket was one of his favourites during his time with the Red Devils.
Asked what his motivation for getting behind the new film was, Beckham said: ‘Simple answer is Ronnie.
‘Firstly, it’s a huge privilege to have been part of this. I was always a fan of Ronnie. I grew up in the East End of London and when I wasn’t playing football, I was playing snooker. I used to go up to the snooker hall in Chingford every other day when I wasn’t playing football. Then when my dad was playing football on the weekends, I’d end up playing snooker in the bar. That was something I grew up on.
‘I was able to spend a little time with Ronnie over the years. One of my favourite nights as a Manchester United player, we’d played in London and I think we went out for a couple of beers and I ended up back at Ronnie’s house. His mum was making a cup of tea for us and we had a few frames.
‘That was one of my favourite nights as a Manchester United player because I got to spend a few hours with Ronnie and get to know him.
O’Sullivan, Beckham and director Sam Blair answered questions at the premiere in Leicester Square (Picture: Getty Images for Studio 99)
‘To be able to make this film is very special because it’s not just about him as a snooker player. It’s about him and his life. He is a special person but to watch him play is just beautiful.’
O’Sullivan, 47, also told the tale of when he first met Beckham, 48, remembering the intense nature of the footballer’s fame when he burst into the public’s consciousness in 1996.
‘I stayed at David’s house a few nights in Manchester before he got super famous,’ said O’Sullivan. ‘I’ve met David a few times. Obviously he went his way and I went mine. He’s done really, really well.
‘We met each other in Charlie Chans and we were just chatting away. This was before he scored that goal [against Wimbledon], then he scored the goal and he went, “come up to Manchester.”
‘So I went up there and stayed with him for two or three days and the fame was off the scale. Him and Giggsy, it was scary. They were like the Beatles, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life and I’m not really cut out for that sort of thing, I run for the exit at things like that.
‘I spent a couple of days and then I was out of there. It was on another level. But it’s great that he’s backed the film.’
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‘One of my favourite nights as a Manchester United player.’