Snooker star Shaun Murphy has revealed he nearly died after having his drink spiked – and has thanked his late manager, Brandon Parker, for saving his life.
The 42-year-old is currently preparing for the World Championship, with that competition due to commence on Saturday.
Murphy will be among the favourites to secure glory at the Crucible, having won the Masters back in January with a 10-7 win over Kyren Wilson.
He previously won the competition in 2005 and has since made finals in 2009, 2015 and 2021.
Snooker star Shaun Murphy has revealed he nearly died after having his drink spiked – and has thanked his late manager, Brandon Parker, for saving his life
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Murphy has, however, now revealed that he nearly died in 2008 after his drink was spiked while attending a pro-am darts competition in Antwerp, Belgium.
He told The Sun: “There were a number of players on this particular night out. The promoter had thrown a big party in this bar.
“I don’t think I was the only player who was attacked that night. I was in a real bad way.
“I have never taken drugs in my life. Didn’t know what ketamine was. But that’s what it was.
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“It was awful. I have no doubt that that could have been the end of me.
“Had it not been for my dear friend Brandon Parker, who I was with that night and sharing a room with, who pretty much nursed me through the night.
“Got me on a plane the next day home. The worst bit about it was we had a 24-hour turnaround and we had to go to China for the Shanghai Masters. It was an awful experience.”
Murphy has, in the past, spoken about his younger years and how he used to over-indulge on nights out.
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Snooker star Shaun Murphy won the Masters back in January
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The 42-year-old, looking back, added: “Going back to being a young boy, food and – as soon as I was old enough to – drink became my crutches.
“You know, you would celebrate with food and drink – and you would commiserate with food and drink.
“In snooker, living on the road in a competitive world in which I have grown up in, you are always doing one of those two things. You are either always celebrating or commiserating.
“Food and drink was the thing that I went to first. It didn’t matter who I had in my corner at the time.
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“I have had plenty of people who have been on Team Murphy over the years.
“Friends, drivers, coaches and road managers. We’d always, following a big win, say to each other, ‘Right, where are we going for food?’
“Or following a bad loss, we’d say: ‘Where’s the nearest Irish bar?’ And that was a trend.”
He added: “I come from a big drinking family. Most of the adults in my family growing up were either alcoholics or very heavy drinkers.
“So for me to grow up liking a drink hasn’t shocked anybody and I feel like I kind of gave a few years of my career away probably to the pub.
Snooker star Shaun Murphy will be hoping to summon the magic that made him a world champion back in 2005
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“I became very good at drinking Strongbow but my snooker went through the floor. And it has taken me a long time to try and reclaim what was mine.
“I have put myself through all sorts to get there. I still like a drink and I don’t think there is anything wrong with liking a drink.
“But I don’t do what I used to do when I lived in Manchester post-2008 for a good few years.
“Me and my mates would be out at least four nights a week on it. Like really go out.
“You know you cannot do that and be a professional sportsperson at the same time.”
