JIMMY WHITE has opened up on the medical diagnosis that changed his life – and wishes he’d known sooner.
The charismatic snooker legend, 62, was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago.
White – known affectionately as The Whirlwind – found fame in the 1980s and became a firm fan favourite on the baize.
A two-time Major winner, the Tooting native has revealed he is now being medically treated for the condition.
White told Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips podcast: “I’m gonna give you an exclusive.
“I got diagnosed with ADHD about two years ago.
“I’ve had to work. With ADHD you think about fifteen 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.”
White was known for his rapid breaks and no-nonsense style at the table.
But he admits he wishes he’d known about his ADHD sooner.
The condition – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – causes sufferers to be impulsive and have a short attention span, according to the NHS.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Snooker legend Jimmy White walks out of match at Northern Ireland Open at critical point leaving opponent and ref bemused” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6363682872112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]White continued: “When you’re under pressure, looking back all these things were going through my mind and all of a sudden I’m starting to miss everything.
“The pockets are closing up as I’m hitting them and the balls are getting like footballs.
“That for me now, looking back, if I’d known what I had I’d have been able to refocus better. That was a big thing.”
White has also been open about his battles with drink and drugs.
The Whirlwind struggled with an addiction to crack when he was a young star.
And he admits the habit “drained” his bank account of over £35,000.
White told Louis Theroux‘s documentary Gods of Snooker: “Cocaine was absolutely everywhere.
“It was like the devil’s dandruff, but crack – it’s evil. I tried smoking it and got completely addicted.
“I remember I had £35,000 in an account and I drained that on crack.”
Jimmy added to The Sun on Sunday: “It’s impossible to say how much I used to drink in my wild days.
“It was drink after drink and line after line and I’d go missing for days.
“It took 15 years to get sober and I don’t miss that life at all.”