Ronnie O'Sullivan wants snooker to try and replicate the atmosphere at darts

Ronnie O'Sullivan has called on snooker to embrace the racuous party atmosphere of darts in a bid to boost its popularity.

The five-time world champion has landed his major titles by playing in enforced near silence at snooker's major venues, including the Crucible.

The atmosphere can still be electric, but O'Sullivan is a regular visitor to the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, where the crowds provide an entirely different sense of occasion.

Belgium's Dimitri van den Bergh thrilled Alexandra Palace with his explosive entrance and silky dance moves Belgium's Dimitri van den Bergh thrilled Alexandra Palace with his explosive entrance and silky dance moves

O'Sullivan wrote on Twitter: "The new rock stars are the dart players."

He asked his followers: "By the way who would go and watch a snooker match played in a darts atmosphere?"

Despite a mixed response, O'Sullivan added: "Ok we will do one and see how it goes, I will play (Judd) trump first and see if it's what the public wants.

"I'd love to play in that atmosphere, and anyone who can't, go home."

Spectators enjoy the atmosphere at the World Darts Championship

O'Sullivan, 40, was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours and will make his first tournament appearance since the World Championship last April when he plays at the Masters this month.

The Masters - also at Alexandra Palace - runs from January 10 to 17 and O'Sullivan starts his bid to win the event for a sixth time when he plays Mark Williams on January 12.