Shaun Murphy, the snooker icon known for his escort scandal headlines, has been awarded an OBE in King Charles' Birthday Honours list. The honour recognizes his services to snooker and charity.
Shaun Murphy's Snooker Career
Murphy made his professional debut in 1998 and quickly established himself as one of the sport's greats. Turning professional at 15, he stunned the world in 2005 by becoming only the second qualifier to win the World Championship, lifting the Crucible trophy at just 22. Renowned for his devastating long game and flawless cue action, the Englishman cemented his legacy by joining the elite group of Triple Crown winners, securing the UK Championship in 2008 and the Masters in 2015 and 2025. A prolific scorer with thirteen ranking titles under his belt, his recent career resurgence and BBC punditry ensure his influence continues today.
Life Off the Table
However, his life off the table has also often been in the spotlight. The 43-year-old is engaged to his third fiancee and has previously been involved in an escort scandal. The night before his second World Championship final, against John Higgins, Murphy spent the night with an escort, which was confirmed by his then-manager Brandon Parker. However, he denied any claims of infidelity, with his camp insisting he did not sleep with the woman.
Full List of 35 Sports Stars Honoured
The King's Birthday Honours list includes a wide range of sports stars across various categories:
Knight Bachelor
- Kevin Sinfield, CBE, England rugby union team coach, former Great Britain, England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league player, and fundraiser, for services to rugby league, rugby union and the MND community, Oldham.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Neil Fox, MBE, former rugby league player and coach, for services to rugby league and to the community in West Yorkshire, Wakefield.
- Eva Rausing, founder, Alborada Trust, for services to charity, animal welfare, horse racing and bloodstock, Newmarket.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- David Dein, MBE, The Twinning Project founder and former Arsenal vice-chairman and co-owner, for services to football and to charity, London.
- Luke Donald, MBE, golfer and Europe Ryder Cup captain, for services to golf, abroad.
- Clare Halsted, lately athlete, administrator and volunteer, for services to fencing, London.
- Shaun Murphy, snooker player, for services to snooker and to charity, Liverpool.
- Ian Robertson, broadcaster, for services to rugby union and to broadcasting, Norwich.
- Emily Scarratt, MBE, former England centre and fullback, for services to rugby union, Coalville.
- Mark Stuart, pharmacist expert, for services to the pharmacy profession in sport and to anti-doping, London.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Michelle Agyemang, England and Arsenal footballer, for services to football, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex.
- Ian Bamford, Irish Amateur Open past winner and former Royal Portrush captain, for services to amateur golf, Belfast.
- Brenda Bland, former Great Britain swimming team manager, for services to swimming in Great Britain, Hartlepool.
- Professor Chris Brookes, Wigan Warriors chair and lately Rugby Football League and England Rugby League chief medical officer, for services to rugby league, Bolton.
- Lee Carsley, England men’s Under-21s coach, for services to football, Solihull.
- Jess Carter, England and Gotham FC footballer, for services to football, Warwick.
- Krysten Coombs, athlete and trustee Dwarf Sports Association UK, for services to badminton and to the Dwarf Sports Association, Sheffield.
- Alan Crooks, Irish Football Association disability manager, for services to disability football, Newtonards, County Down.
- Jane Figueiredo, diving coach, for services to diving, London.
- Hannah Hampton, England and Chelsea footballer, for services to football, London.
- Jane Harvey, former professional tennis umpire, for services to tennis, Crewkerne, Somerset.
- Lauren James, England and Chelsea footballer, for services to football, London.
- Cliff Jones, former Wales and Tottenham footballer, for services to Welsh football, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire.
- Karen Jones, Netball South West chair and England Netball honorary life member, for services to netball in England, Tavistock.
- Chloe Kelly, England and Arsenal footballer, for services to football, Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
- Ian Lovett, lately England and Wales Cricket Board president, for services to cricket and to charity, Sevenoaks, Kent.
- Richard Lyttle, former racecourse manager, for services to the horse racing industry, Ballynahinch, County Down.
- Lou Macari, former footballer (Scotland, Celtic, Manchester United), manager (numerous clubs) and Macari Foundation founder, for services to football and to homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent.
- Ryan Moore, jockey, for services to horseracing and to British sport, Newmarket.
- Richard Morris, head of GB Para Badminton, for services to sport and disabled people, Sheffield.
- Garry Richardson, broadcaster, for services to sport broadcasting, Seale, Surrey.
- Alessia Russo, England and Arsenal footballer, for services to football, Radlett, Hertfordshire.
- Gary Street, lately head coach England women’s rugby, for services to rugby union, Ashford, Surrey.
- Brian Walsh, former Ireland cricket team manager, services to cricket, Belfast.
- Tony Whelan, Manchester United youth football coach, for services to football, Sandbach, Cheshire.
