Judd Trump attributes explicit Instagram post to hack
Snooker star Judd Trump has claimed that an Instagram hack was responsible for an explicit post that briefly appeared on a social media account over the weekend, reports BritPanorama.
The world No 1 found himself at the centre of online attention after followers noticed a video containing explicit content had been uploaded to an Instagram story on Sunday. The post was later removed, with Trump subsequently issuing a statement insisting the material had not been shared by him.
The 36-year-old moved quickly to address the situation, informing followers that control of the account had been compromised. “Just a quick note to let everyone know that my Instagram account was hacked,” Trump wrote. “Any images or content posted recently were not posted by me or represent me in any way. Please disregard them while I work to regain control of the account. Thank you for your understanding.”
Although the statement was later deleted, screenshots of both the original post and Trump’s response have continued to circulate online. Trump’s Instagram account remains publicly accessible and has amassed more than 325,000 followers.
This incident comes during a period of significant change away from the snooker table for one of the sport’s biggest stars. Trump remains ranked world No 1 despite a disappointing exit from this year’s World Championship, where he was defeated by Hossein Vafaei in the last 16.
Earlier this year, success arrived at the German Masters, where Trump defeated Shaun Murphy 10-4 in the final to secure a 31st ranking title. However, beyond the snooker arena, Trump has faced challenges related to living arrangements amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Trump, originally based abroad since 2024, revealed earlier this year that uncertainty surrounding the situation prompted a temporary move to Thailand. Speaking during an event in China, he explained, “It’s a bit up in the air at the moment. I don’t really think I can go back, just in case I get stuck there. Just kind of looking for somewhere else to live.”
The former world champion indicated that a family member had also been affected by travel disruption before eventually managing to leave safely. “Just trying to make the best of a bad situation,” Trump noted. He later confirmed that a return to Britain was not currently on the agenda, stating, “I won’t be moving back to the UK. Maybe I’ll go somewhere different. But definitely won’t be coming back to the UK any time soon.”
Theirs is a world where the game is often eclipsed by the vagaries of life off the table and, for Trump, navigating identity in the digital realm now joins the long list of challenges facing elite athletes. Snooker may be a sport of precision and focus, yet, evidently, the online landscape proves just as unpredictable as any match at the Crucible.
