The former world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan last night said that recent reports that he had converted to Islam were misleading.

"There has been some confusion recently. I am not a Muslim. However, I am privileged with the friendship of Muslims who have been there for me and I value as true friends."

O'Sullivan, widely regarded as the game's most gifted player, has often been front-page news. Rarely, though, has anything grabbed the headlines like his purported conversion to Islam. But last night he said it was all a big misunderstanding.

"Yes, I'm interested in Islam, but I'm also interested in Buddhism and Christianity. Perhaps I've been naive and given people the wrong impression, and if I have I'm sorry.

"It was a bit stupid of me, I suppose. I went along to a mosque because I'm interested in Islam, but I didn't know anyone would be interested in converting me.

"Actually, even when they called me to the front of the mosque I didn't know what was happening. They were very friendly, and in my ignorance I thought it was just a social thing - their way of welcoming a stranger. I felt a bit overawed by all the people around me, especially because they were talking all the time.

"I'm the kind of person who doesn't want to offend, and I just thought I'd keep everyone happy then politely leave. But now I know differently."

O'Sullivan said he was in two minds whether to make any public statement about the "conversion" but felt it was important to set the record straight before the new season starts at Preston this weekend.

"Everyone knows I'm not the most disciplined of fellas," he admitted. "I suppose that's why the press thought it was such a good story."