The Northern Irishman is in the semi-final of the World Snooker Championships after beating Barry Hawkins in the quarter-finals at the Crucible
Mark Allen(Image: PA Wire)
Mark Allen is back in the spotlight at the World Snooker Championship, but it’s not just his performances on the baize that have caught attention in recent years.
The Northern Irishman has powered his way into the semi-finals at the Crucible after seeing off Barry Hawkins, setting up a last-four showdown with Wu Yize in a gruelling best-of-33-frames clash in Sheffield.
A former world No.1 and Triple Crown winner, the 36-year-old has enjoyed a decorated career, but his journey away from the table has been just as eventful, from a dramatic physical transformation to personal struggles and financial turmoil.
Here’s a closer look at the man known as ‘The Pistol’.
Dramatic weight loss
Allen’s resurgence in recent seasons has gone hand in hand with a remarkable lifestyle overhaul, with the Northern Irishman shedding more than six stone in a dramatic body transformation.
Long open about his struggles with weight and fitness earlier in his career, Allen has credited his improved form and mindset to adopting a healthier routine, something that has quite literally changed his game.
“I just feel healthier in myself and more positive in the way I look,” he previously told The Express. “I’m not there worrying ‘Is my shirt coming out, can people see things they shouldn’t be seeing?’”
The change hasn’t just been physical. Allen admitted it took time to adjust to competing in a completely different body after losing around six-and-a-half stone at one stage.
“I just try to concentrate on playing snooker,” he added. “It took me a bit of an adjustment period. It was a dramatic weight loss… it was a different body when you’re playing.”
Now leaner and sharper, Allen has reaped the benefits on the table, adding to his 2018 Masters and 2022 UK Championship titles with renewed consistency at the top level.
Mark Allen back in 2020(Image: Getty Images)
Split from snooker star partner
Away from snooker, Allen has also endured well-documented personal challenges, particularly surrounding his relationship with fellow player Reanne Evans.
The pair, who share a daughter, Lauren, separated in 2008 and became embroiled in a long-running dispute over child maintenance — an issue Allen admitted has weighed heavily on him.
“Without going into all the details, the Reanne situation is still ongoing and I’d love nothing more than to get that sorted and then we could all move on,” he said after winning the UK Championship in 2022.
“Because it isn’t nice. You come to tournaments and we aren’t even saying hello and we have a child together.”
Their strained relationship was highlighted in uncomfortable scenes at the 2021 British Open, when Evans declined Allen’s offer of a pre-match fist bump before their meeting – dubbed the ‘Battle of the Exes’.
Both later acknowledged how difficult the encounter had been, despite Allen edging a final-frame victory.
In more recent times, Allen has found happiness again and is now in a relationship with Sara Herald, with the couple getting engaged earlier this year.
Reanne Evans snubbed Mark Allen ahead of their match in 2021(Image: WST)
Net worth after bankruptcy
Despite earning millions during his career, Allen’s journey has also included serious financial setbacks.
The former world No.1, who has amassed more than £5million in prize money, was declared bankrupt in January 2021 after admitting to overspending throughout his career.
“I just overspent in every aspect of my life,” he said at the time. “Bankruptcy was the only choice.”
Reflecting on his situation, Allen conceded he had failed to plan for the future despite his earnings.
“It’s easy to read that I made £3.5m on the table, but I spent it as fast as it was coming in,” he admitted. “I didn’t put anything aside for a rainy day.”
His finances were further impacted by his divorce from ex-wife Kyla McGuigan in 2020, with legal costs adding to the strain.
“If I could go back, I would be more sensible with money,” he said. “Everything just snowballed.”
However, there has been a turnaround in recent years. By 2024, Allen revealed he was back on a stable footing financially and mentally.
“Things are going really well,” he said. “My private life is good, and financially I’m in a better place… I’m just looking forward to playing more than I was.”
