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Ronnie O'Sullivan has backed Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership, admitting he's an 'old Labour' man at heart.

In a blog for EuroSport, the five-time world snooker champion said Corbyn is a "real contender".

"I like how he is being honest about raising taxes," he wrote. "And that unless you raise taxes you won't get a good National Health Service. That is just common sense, and I'm all for that philosophy."

O'Sullivan endorsed Labour ahead of the general election in May - even making a video where he taught Ed Miliband pool tricks.

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He says he likes Andy Burnham, too - and appreciates that there's a good range of opinions on show in the candidates.

But he says it's refreshing to have a candidate like Corbyn who "says it as it is. Instead of making promises that you know are not going to be kept." And he added: "Isn't it about time we had a PM that tells the British voters the truth?"

It's the second high profile endorsement for Corbyn this week, after legendary musician and producer Brian Eno backed his campaign at a packed rally in London.

Eno told the crowd: "I don't think electability really is the most important thing," to rapturous applause.

(Image: Getty)

He added: "I think what's important is that somebody changes the conversation and moves us off this small-minded agenda."

Ronnie admits he'd never voted in an election - or even thought about politics - until a couple of years ago.

But he says the last two years have really opened his eyes.

"I've come to realise I'm much more in line with old Labour," he says. "Not New Labour or the Conservatives. I've always been stuck in my own little world of snooker where you travel and play a lot, and I've not paid much attention to what is going on in the outside world."

But he says his outlook on life has changed - and he feels he's changed for the better. He feels lucky to be in a job that he loves.

Ronnie also wrote about his disappointment ad Ed Miliband's failure to deliver an election victory in May, saying he felt the former leader really cared for less well off people.