Mark Allen has revealed that a conversation with snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan sparked a major lifestyle haul which saw him shed a remarkable four stone in five months.
Allen, 36, weighed in at 19st earlier this year and was even warned by friends he would not be around to walk his daughter down the aisle if his excessive drinking and eating continued.
The Northern Irishman was beaten by O'Sullivan at the World Championships in April and a chat with the world No.1 led to Allen ditching his poor diet and he is reaping the rewards.
Read more: Mark Allen happy he's getting 'life in order' despite British Open final agony
He has since lost four stone and insists he still has a way to go as he seeks victory at the British Open this month.
“I’m happier in my appearance. I don’t want to do bad things to myself when I look in the mirror. I need to lose more weight. I’m not fighting fit yet," he told the Sun.
“One of my very closest friends said to me: ‘If you keep going the way you’re going Mark, you won’t be here to walk Harleigh down the aisle.’ That was tough to hear but probably what I needed to hear.”
Allen admits he has even had to change his style on the snooker table after losing weight.
He said: “I’m having to adapt on the table. It’s probably not perceptive to those watching from the sides. But I can feel it myself. I’m so used to going round my belly. Now I’m on a straighter path. It affects your alignment and aim. It has taken time.”
Allen hit the headlines earlier this week with a stunning five-cushion escape shot in his victory over Li Hang at the British Open.
The effort was lauded as the 'shot of the season' with Allen now taking on Gary Wilson for a spot in the last 16.
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