Snooker legend Jimmy White believes Chigwell’s Ronnie O’Sullivan is capable of surpassing Stephen Hendry’s seven World Championship victories and says the ‘Rocket’ can “win ten if he wants to”.

O’Sullivan, who has announced he plans to take a break from snooker after the ongoing UK Championship, stormed to a fifth global title at the Crucible earlier this year at the age of 37.

The victory meant he became the oldest world title winner since Ray Reardon secured his last crown at 45.

Former world champion Joe Johnson said last month that O’Sullivan was “up against the clock” to better Hendry’s record as “everybody loses their near vision between 35 and 40”.

But White disagrees. He said: “I think Ronnie could go on and win ten world titles if he wants to. It does become harder as you get older because you have children and then grandchildren, so you have a bit less time.

“But snooker is not like boxing or football. As long as your eyes are okay, and even then you can get laser surgery, then you can continue to play. So he is more than capable.”

Jimmy White will be competing on the Snooker Legends tour next year with the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, John Virgo and Steve Davis.