Ronnie O'Sullivan made his own autumn statement last night after recording a 13th perfect clearance of his career – claiming his cheque for the feat will help pay the tax bills.

The Barbican erupted as Chigwell's O’Sullivan, who had missed a chance to bag a 147 in the penultimate frame, potted the final black to complete a perfect whitewash of Matt Selt.

The 6-0 drubbing was over in just one hour, 32 minutes and the Rocket picked up a nice sweetener for his maximum – a whopping £40,000 prize.

“It pays the tax, I’m bang in trouble – get the inland revenue off my case,” quipped O’Sullivan, who celebrates his 39th birthday today.

“The motivation to get them is not as high as it used to be and I knew somewhere in the back of my mind the rollover was mounting up for the maximum. Unless it’s over 40 grand you won’t be getting a maxi from me.

“I worked my way into the match and it was a great ending. The excitement never wears off, you get the adrenaline. I already had the record at 12 and I thought someone would have to go some to beat that. But it’s always nice to add to it and make it that bit more difficult for someone to reach.

“I wasn’t trying to entertain, that’s just how I play. I don’t go out there trying to do any different, it’s how I’ve played since I was a young boy and how I always will. The feeling is fantastic and I’m lucky to play to such a level and perform like that. I don’t think there are many people in sports who feel like that in their job.”

The path is seemingly cleared to the semi-finals as O’Sullivan faces another underdog in Scotland’s Anthony McGill.

But McGill, ranked number 38 in the world, has already proven a giant-killer this week after seeing off three-time UK champion John Higgins – and O’Sullivan is wary of a repeat.

O'Sullivan added: “I really like Anthony, he’s a top player and loves his sport – he’s dedicated. I hope he doesn’t beat me but I’m a fan of his. I don’t know him much as a person but people who do say he’s a top quality lad, and if he was playing anyone else I’d be rooting for him. I’ve just got to go out there and play as strong as I can.

"These young players are all confident, they want success and playing a lot of matches. The belief’s there for him to win and if I’m not on top of my game, I’ll get beat.”

British Eurosport is the Home of Snooker, showing 19 tournaments per season including the World Championship, UK Championship the Masters and all other ranking events. Available on Sky, Virgin Media & BT TV or online/mobile via eurosportplayer.com #eurosportsnooker