Snooker star Mark Allen admits he had 'no choice' but to declare bankruptcy as he revealed the extent of his financial woes.
Northern Irishman Allen declared bankruptcy in January 2021 after completely losing control of his spending amidst success on the green baize. The 36-year-old is a six-time ranking event winner and is one of most accomplished players on the snooker circuit after his Masters triumph at the Alexandra Palace four years ago.
But despite his elite status as world number ten and career earnings of upwards of £3.5 million, Allen's life off the table has been tumultuous. He conceded his 'embarrassment' at the lack of financial prudence that led to his bankruptcy, as he failed to cope with the mounting legal costs of a difficult divorce process.
"I just overspent in every aspect of my life," a candid Allen told BBC Sport. "Bankruptcy was the only choice. It's easy to read that I made £3.5m on the table, but I spent it as fast it was coming in.
"It was sad saying that given what I've made in the game and how well I've done. It's embarrassing, but the priority now is to get my life in order. I didn't put any aside for a rainy day and if I was having a bad season I was still spending as if I was having a good season.
"You don't put enough away for tax and everything just snowballs. All the legal stuff with the divorce, if you have to pay for lawyers and barristers, it all mounts up."
Allen's brave admission over his financial plight comes after he made a significant fitness decision that has positively impacted his life both on and off the table. The Belfast potter has shed just under five stone in four months after going on a remarkable weight loss journey during snooker's off-season.
His decision came after a brutal conversation with a close friend as he listened to some harsh truths about what he could miss if he continued with unhealthy habits.
"I had conversations with my partner Aideen and just said that I wasn't feeling good in myself," Allen added. "I felt heavy, not healthy when I was playing snooker.
"One of my friends said he worried about me getting too big, too unhealthy, and said if you keep going the way you are going, then you're not going to be able to walk your daughter down the aisle.
"It was harsh but exactly what I needed to hear. Literally two days later I started eating better and instantly changing everything. "
And Allen's body transformation looks to already be bearing fruit on the table after a positive start to the new season. He recently reached the British Open final where he was defeated 10-7 by Ryan Day, but victories against world champions Judd Trump and Mark Selby proved huge confidence boosts.
Allen hopes that his weight loss will make him more at ease around the table this year as he prepares to defend his home Northern Ireland Open title at the Waterford Hall in Belfast.
"There were times last year when given my size I was uncomfortable on some of my shots, I couldn't reach certain shots and, because I play at a fast pace, I could feel it on my breathing," he said. "It should help my game."
