Peter Devlin hasn’t really enjoyed much glory on the main tour so far, but was given a great opportunity to show … his showman side whilst helping WST to promote the coming English Open

Here is what he posted on his facebook page today:

Had a brilliant day as the guest at Milton Keynes Dons Stadium MK
Did a few interviews, and performed a rap live in front of just under 10,000 football fans. Standard 😂😂
Massive thanks to World Snooker Tour for giving me this opportunity to help promote the upcoming English Open, and the Snooker Tour in general 😁
Also met John Motson, and was a bit starstruck hearing his standout commentary voice in real life!

Asked by a friend if he enjoyed it, he replied:

(It) was awesome mate! I wish I could have that kind of confidence at snooker! Literally no nerves whatsoever doing that in front of thousands. But put a cue in my hand and different story 

Ronnie supports a terminally ill artist and is full of admiration for the positive way he deals with the situation

An award-winning artist is selling his work for charity after being diagnosed with brain cancer and given only months to live.

Antonio Russo from Bovingdon, AKA Stony, who went from being a street graffiti artist to winning global art prizes, is raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

The father-of-two, who was diagnosed in 2019, has been producing work with inspirational messages throughout his career and they have been bringing hope to people with cancer.

Snooker star and art lover Ronnie O’Sullivan has become a close friend after buying one of his canvasses.

Mr O’Sullivan said: “He is a great friend to me. When I met him I thought ‘I really like this guy’ – he has a lovely way about him.

“We stayed in, starting talking, eating and watching Formula 1.

“Now I know his family – his daughter and son. We also come from neighbouring villages in Italy so we share that culture, so there was an Italian connection too.

“I love his art. Antonio has his own unique way as an artist and I think it is fantastic.”

Mr Russo, 56, said: “I’ve been involved in art and music all my life and have been fortunate to travel the world and work with some amazing people.

“I stay positive despite my diagnosis and it is fantastic that my work inspires people and helps them through tough times.”

“In January he was given six to nine months to live but has been on a clinical trial drug which he says he draws great strength from.”

“My cancer is terminal but I’m the biggest survivor in the world,” he added.

Mr Russo continued: “Ronnie is a fantastic guy and a good buddy, and he’s also really knowledgeable about art.

“I’ve got work in big galleries and have lots of high-profile clients but the most important thing for me is that my work touches people and helps them.”

Mr Russo was born in Luton but moved to Sicily as a baby before returning with his family to the UK when he was 12.

He had been drawing and painting since he was three years old and was drawn to street art as a teenager.

He added: “Graffiti was a way of expressing myself and I joined a community of street artists who were just dedicated to their art.

“They were artists, not taggers who just went around painting their names or one design – I was always creative and colourful and it was about expressing myself through art.”

Mr O’Sullivan said: “The illness is so bloody sad but he is so positive – he has a great spirit about him.

“He never gives in – he always believes there is something better around the corner.”