Shaun Murphy joins snooker royalty with OBE in King's Birthday Honours as 2005 world champion emulates Jimmy White, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve Davis
By Desmond Kane
Published 13/06/2026 at 11:27 GMT+1
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Shaun Murphy has joined a "who's who" of snooker stars from past and present to be recognised for their services to the sport with official recognition in the King's Birthday Honours.
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The 2005 world champion has earned an OBE for services to snooker and charity, following in the footsteps of some of the greatest players in history to earn a trip to Buckingham Palace.
An "incredibly honoured" Murphy joins fellow world champions Joe Davis, Fred Davis, Terry Griffiths, Steve Davis and Ronnie O'Sullivan in being awarded an OBE.
Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Ray Reardon, Jimmy White, John Parrott, Mark Williams, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Judd Trump, Vera Selby and Reanne Evans have all earned MBEs.
"It is a strange feeling when the letter hits the post box," said Murphy, who was denied the chance to become only the Crucible's 10th multiple champion in a narrow 18-17 defeat to Wu Yize last month.
"It says "On His Majesty’s Service" on it. I’m either going to prison - or I don’t know what! I wasn’t expecting it at all. Opening the letter, I was actually shaking.
"I was thinking if it could be real or if it was a wind up. For one reason or another, it went to our old address, so postal redirection kicked in.
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"It came to our house the day the World Championship ended. You had to reply and accept it the day after. Thankfully, you could do that via email.
"I did, and said I’d be very grateful to accept.
”I’m incredibly honoured to receive it. As much as it is for me, I think for my family as well.
"I have been sworn to secrecy, but I did tell my mum and swore her to secrecy as well. I think it is the happiest I’ve ever heard her.
"It was an incredible moment to tell her, and share that information."
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Celebrated commentators Ted Lowe and Clive Everton also earned MBEs from Queen Elizabeth II.
While former World Snooker chairman and sports promoter Barry Hearn, the manager of Steve Davis during his rise to six world titles between 1981 and 1989, received an OBE in 2021.
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"It is really nice that it has been for my services to snooker, which has been my life," said Murphy, a 13-time ranking event winner. "However, to have the charity work recognised almost means more.
"Snooker is something I chose to do and wanted to do for myself.
"The charity work I’ve been involved in for many years has nothing to do with me, and to have that recognised is very rewarding."
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