O’Sullivan faces Mark Selby in the semi-final in Belfast today.
He is also working as a guest for the tournament’s coverage on Eurosport this week.
And the Englishman saw the funny side of Ebdon’s frustration during the latter’s match with Eden Sharav.
Ebdon was 28-16 up in the fourth frame of his quarter-final match with Sharav when the incident happened.
The Englishman had lined up a blue into the middle right pocket and drew his cue.
But as he made to shit the ball, he suddenly stopped and walked back to his seat.
It appears he was disturbed by some fans returning to their seats on the adjacent table, when O’Sullivan was himself playing.
And Ronnie O’Sullivan joked: “It’s so funny. He’s missed a shot Eden and he’s staring at this geezer. I didn’t know who he was staring at. I was thinking of Ebdo ‘that is a beauty stare’.
“If looks could kill the geezer would have been beheaded.
“I looked round and I could see two massive geezers! And I’m thinking ‘Ebdo doesn’t care!’
“Then he’s dropped the cue, which is a beauty. He threw the cue in pure disgust. I get it.
“But I started to be scared (in case) I was moving. Because I’m in his eye line. I was hoping he wouldn’t start giving me the evil eyes because I’m moving.
“Ebdo’s funny isn’t he? He’s different class. He’s such a character.”
Eden eventually lost the game, meaning Sharav will play Judd Trump in their semi-final this evening.
O’Sullivan plays Mark Selby in the first semi-final today.
Watch the Northern Ireland Open live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player, with analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds