Ronnie O’Sullivan and Laila Rouass Host Low-Key Wedding with Just Her Sisters

Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed just how low-key his June wedding to Laila Rouass was.

The snooker champion, 49, wed the Footballer’s Wives star, 54, in an intimate London ceremony in June after 13 years together. 

Ronnie has now revealed that he was keen for the nupitals to be as intimate as possible, confessing ‘I didn’t actually have anyone there.’ 

‘I mean, we had Laila’s sisters. But we didn’t want nothing big. I’m just not into all that stuff. I f***ing hate being the host — I can’t stand it.’ 

The pair officially tied the knot ten months after announcing they had ended their on-off relationship.

The couple, who have split multiple times, most recently went their separate ways in 2024 but got back together in January of this year, and since the wedding have relocated to Dubai for a ‘fresh start’. 

The couple sold their Essex home, choosing the Middle East over Yorkshire – or even Spain, which Ronnie had briefly considered – to focus on his beloved sport. 

In Dubai, the seven-time world champion has cut off social media completely, and his phone has no messaging apps, news apps, or even a web browser. Only a handful of friends and family can reach him directly.

He told The Sunday Times: ‘I wish I’d done it before, I might do it every six months. I’m not looking to progress my career through networking and that sort of thing. I’ve got my friends and that’s enough. The phone doesn’t really add to my life. So it’s quite nice, really.’

Laila has also recently deleted her Instagram accounts, after revealing last month that she has been diagnosed with an ‘incurable condition’ that has left her feeling ‘broken’.

The Footballers’ Wives star who did not disclose the type of illness she has, did confirm it is not life-threatening, but has ‘tested her in ways she never imagined’.

Speaking about her biggest challenge to date, the actress wrote in one of her final posts before deleting her account: ‘I have something to tell you. I’ve recently been diagnosed with an incurable condition — one that’s tested me in ways I never imagined.

‘It’s not life-threatening, but losing a bit of control over my body has humbled me… and, at times, broken me open.’

And the TV star explained that her treatment for the mystery illness has prompted her to stage a social media silence.

She added: ‘There have been nights of tears, not from weakness, but from release. Sometimes strength looks like simply showing up again tomorrow. That’s why I’ve been quiet.

‘Treatment has taken its toll, physically, emotionally, spiritually. But I am here. A little softer. A little stronger. A little more human.’

Laila warned her followers not to be fooled by the picture-perfect images on social media, as she believes that people’s true stories lie within the cracks.

‘Life isn’t picture perfect. When you see someone online who looks flawless, remember, it’s the cracks that let the light in. Your skin, your story, your scars, they’re all part of your beauty.’

Ronnie and Laila’s choice of Dubai was largely influenced by the actress. Laila, of Moroccan origin, wanted a sunny home, and the couple agreed the lifestyle there made it an even better fit.

‘We’re not there for a bouji sort of lifestyle. I just like the simplicity of it there, the weather’s great,’ Ronnie said. 

The sportsman also admitted that not speaking the language makes an undisturbed lifestyle easier to maintain.

‘One of the beauties of not knowing the language is I don’t really want to talk to everyone that I come in contact with,’ he added. ‘I know it sounds terrible but we just smile at each other, hello, and it’s good.’

The seven-time world champion has recently opened an academy in the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a joint venture with the Saudi government.