The Rocket was in total control once he had recovered from the shock of losing the first five frames to the 200-1 outsider at the start of the tournament.

O’Sullivan said: “I went emotional during the match as well and when it went to 14-8 I was thinking of my dad watching the final on television in prison.

“He travelled all around the country with me since I was nine years of age and we visited every Little Chef up and down the country!

“I am sure he will be sitting in his cell tonight chuffed to bits. I can’t wait to go and visit him – and this title was for him.

“I don’t think I’d be able to ring him tonight. It’s a Bank Holiday. I think they bang them up a bit earlier today. I won’t be taking the trophy in. Other people are allowed to have their visits and I don’t think it is right to cause a big thing.

“I just want to go and see my dad, chat to him and be in his company. That’s the most important thing.”

O’Sullivan paid tribute to the efforts of coach Frank Adamson and mentor Ray Reardon, the six-times world champion who has been working with him this season.

He said: “It was a good performance. The last few matches have been pretty comfortable. I feel I’m ready to go again. I feel quite good.

“I know I can play better. I know there is room for improvement and I will keep going to improve.

“My consistency has come from getting a better technique. It was a bit rough around the edges and it’s improved with thanks to my coach Frank Adamson.

“I had to make some changes. He has helped me to keep motivated – and I’d also like to say thanks to working with Ray.

“I am more excited about working with Ray than winning the world championship. This is a great tournament to win.

“I’m just thinking what fun I am going to have with him and I have got my appetite back for snooker. It’s been there all year really.

“Ever since from 8-8 with Andy Hicks in the second round Ray has had an input. I phoned him up and we had a chat then.

“You can see by the scorelines in some of the matches what sort of effect it has had on my game.”

O’Sullivan also produced a light-hearted touch at the end of the final by wearing a pair of fangs, although he insisted this was not as a compliment to Reardon who was known as ‘Dracula’ when winning six world titles.

He said: “A friend of mine asked me to stick a pair of fangs in when I won in 2001 and I didn’t so I don’t like going back on promises and I did it this time for him.

“It wasn’t for Ray Reardon that I did it. Ray has got one of the best set of teeth in your life!”

Dott said: "I was in dreamland after winning the first five frames. I might have felt even better if it had been the first to six! But it was the first to 18.

“But Ronnie is phenomenally good. His safety is unbelievable. People go on about his potting but his safety is superb as well.

“At least I made it to four sessions. I didn’t want to be annihilated. For two sessions I’ve given him a game.

“I was still happy with 9-7 but Ronnie is a superb player and the last session was a waste of time. The game was over by then.

“Ronnie is getting as good as anyone there has ever been. He has got everything. The guy is a genius.”