POT OF PAINT

Ronnie inspired by artist pal Hirst to pick up a brush & sync some colours

- HECTOR NUNNS

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has been hailed as a snooker artist for decades - and now The Rocket has started to between paint matches.

O'Sullivan (above) will look to give China's Zhou Yuelong the brush-off today at the Cazoo UK Championship in York as he goes chasing an eighth success in the tournament.

The world No.1 and reigning world champion has been dubbed the 'Potting Picasso' for his genius on the baize.

But it is close pal and former Turner Prize winner Damien Hirst that has inspired O'Sullivan, 46, to try his hand at expressing himself on a different canvas.

Hirst (above, right) is most famous for artworks featuring animals in formaldehyde, but also paintings featuring coloured dots and cherry blossoms.