Life is looking up for Shaun Murphy on and off the table. Following an excellent start to the season on the baize, the Magician is looking forward to married life after popping the question to his musician partner, Jo Rochell.

The proposal had to be brought forward because of Murphy’s fine form, which saw him win the British Open and reach the final of the Xi’an Grand Prix. Those runs saw him make the cut for the Riyadh Season Championship, which took place shortly before the UK Championship. Murphy, who begins his UK Championship campaign against Lyu Haotian on Saturday night, explained: “The funny story is that I’d planned to do the engagement at our favourite hotel, which is up in North Yorkshire. I’d planned to do the engagement there over the dates of the 167 event [in Saudi Arabia].

“By winning the British and getting to the final in China, that meant I couldn’t do that, so the plans had to change. Jo is at home celebrating every match that I win, not knowing that it’s cancelling the engagement!

“So there was a bit of a last-minute change of plan. That’s why it [the proposal] ended up being a spur-of-the-moment and we came out here. All the best laid plans… I’d ruined my own engagement by winning the British Open!”

Murphy credits fellow former world champion Peter Ebdon for re-igniting his career. Fearing his fortunes were on the slide, the 43-year-old began working with the 2002 Crucible king last year. That partnership soon paid dividends as he won the Masters in January.

Meanwhile, his British Open success elevated him to 13 ranking titles overall, one ahead of English Open champion Mark Allen, and into 10th place on the all-time list.

“I have a great team behind me who help me so much. When I am not feeling 100 per cent they push me on,” said Murphy after his Cheltenham triumph.

“For it all to come together is extremely rewarding. Having Peter Ebdon in my corner was invaluable because he has done it himself, so he understands how I am feeling out there.

“I have been watching the likes of Trump, Selby and Robertson winning multiple titles in a season and I would like to get back to that level. I still think I am dangerous on my day, as I have proved this week so I just need to add consistency. I’ll be back on the practice table tomorrow.”

As well as playing, Murphy will be on BBC commentary duty during the UK Championship. Some have questioned the wisdom of combining playing and commentary in the same tournament, but the Magician is clear that it doesn’t hinder his game.

Despite being a rival of the players he is commentating on, Murphy doesn’t hold back when on the mic. During last year’s UK Championship, he called out Allen’s alleged slow play.

The North Irishman later hit back on social media, posting: “As for Shaun in comms. He’s absolutely entitled to his opinion on things but perhaps best to leave personal feelings out of the commentary box in future. All because I called out some of his recent BS.”

Having been close pals earlier in their careers, it was another sign of the souring of their relationship, although they appeared to have buried the hatchet by the time of the Masters, with Allen warmly congratulating Murphy after their semi-final, which included a 147 break from the Magician.

Murphy will be hoping he isn’t on commentary duty on December 7, the day of the UK Championship final