Snooker legend Jimmy White reveals he was diagnosed with ADHD in his 60s - and how it affected his career

Ssnooker legend Jimmy White has revealed he has been diagnosed with ADHD in his 60s.

White, who is also known as 'The Whirlwind', revealed that he is now receiving medical treatment for the condition.

The 62-year-old opened up about his diagnosis during an appearance on fellow former snooker player Stephen Hendry's YouTube channel.

In words reported by the Mirror, he said: 'I'm going to give you an exclusive. I got diagnosed with ADHD about two years ago, 18 months, two years ago.

'I've had to work. With ADHD you think about 15 things at once. So I'm now down to sort of like normal. I have to be medicated and all that and it's completely changed my life.'

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for short, is a condition where people struggle to concentrate and tend to be more hyperactive and act impulsively.

Symptoms can be noticeable as early six years old however symptoms in adults tend to be far more subtle.

White wishes he had been diagnosed years earlier adding that if he had known about his condition he would be able to 'refocus better'.

The successful player, who is still ranked in the world's top 100, revealed he was being coached by former world snooker champion Peter Ebdon.

White said he's working with Ebdon to get 'down to the basics'.

The six-time championship runner-up also let his opinion be known about a proposal to move the world snooker championship from its home at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield to Saudi Arabia.

He said the tournament should never go to the Middle East because 'there's no place' like the crucible.

Away from the sport, White has suffered drink, drugs and gambling addictions during his career.

In 2014 he revealed that for a three month spell - following his defeat at the hands of Steve David in the 1984 World Championship final - he became briefly addicted to crack cocaine.

Meanwhile, just days ago White gave an update on Ronnie O'Sullivan - and hinted at a potential return to the sport.

O'Sullivan, 49, has been mysteriously absent in recent times after withdrawing from a string of high profile tournaments so far in 2025 including the Masters, German Masters and Welsh Open.

In fact, the seven-time world champion has not played on the tour since he withdrew midway through the Championship League on January 9 when he snapped his cue after losing four of his five matches.

This has sparked speculation that O'Sullivan could retire, although he released a statement last week apologising for his absence, which he said had been due to the need to prioritise his mental health.

And, White, who is a close friend of O'Sullivan, provided an update on the 49-year-old and tipped him to return soon.

'He needs some match practice before the World Championship,' White told Eurosport. 'He needs to get amongst it.

'I have heard he has a good cue he is happy with, [but] I am only hearing whispers.'

White went onto claim that if O'Sullivan is to return for the World Snooker Championship, which begins on April 19, he needs to get back into competitive action soon to ensure he has a chance of success at The Crucible.

'He needs to be playing some tournaments to get some match practice under his belt,' White added.

'Saying that, do you remember when he did not play for a year, and then he came and won the World Championship (in 2013)? So as long as he is playing he has every chance.'