They call me the People's Champion.

All I've ever wanted to do is entertain the public and hear the roar of the crowd as they chant my name.

From the age of just 11, snooker has given me a life of fun, fame, fortune and freedom. But it's not always been easy - there have been plenty of ups and downs, on and off the table.

I've lived the way I've played my snooker - fast, hard and with plenty of risks. Some of those risks have nearly cost me everything; my career, my family, even my life.

If I had my time again I might do it differently. Doesn't mean I have any regrets.

My journey has taken me from Tooting to Thailand, from Higgins to Hendry, from cocaine to the Crucible. I've been through a whirlwind of change and come out the other side.

There's a reason why I've held back from telling my real story. We all need a second chance...

Welcome to my mad, bad world.