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Alex Higgins: Snooker mourns 'Hurricane'
Maxliu / 25 July 2010 Free Bet
Alex Higgins in 1983
"He is a legend of snooker, and should forever be remembered as the finest ever snooker player."
Two-time World Snooker Champion Alex "Hurricane" Higgins has died at the age of 61.
Higgins was a controversial figure who was frequently in conflict with snooker's governing bodies but his explosive style and undoubted charisma drew many fans to the game and inspired a generation of players.
Ronnie O'Sullivan was one of these. He said: "Alex Higgins was one of the real inspirations behind me getting into snooker in the first place.
"He is a legend of snooker, and should forever be remembered as the finest ever snooker player."
Born in Belfast in 1949, Higgins emerged on to the scene with a bang, winning the World Championship in 1972, only a year after turning professional. He had to wait another decade to repeat that feat and in the intervening years Higgins became infamous for his self-destructive behaviour. Throughout his life he suffered from alcohol and gambling addiction and admitted to using illegal drugs.
Although he perhaps didn't win as many titles as his he could have, Higgins was a joy to watch and, on his day, was unbeatable. He gained the nickname "Hurricane" for the rapidity of his clearances. He was UK champion in 1983, and won the Irish Masters in the same year and again in 1989.
Higgins was regularly fined for foul mouthed outbursts at referees but was generous with fans. Indeed, the present correspondent's grandfather once arrested Higgins for drunk and disorderly behaviour in the 1970s. After a few hours in the cells, the Irishman sobered up and was happy to play a few frames with officers. As dawn broke, he wowed them with trick shots. No charges were brought.
Sadly, years of drinking took their toll as Higgins slid down the rankings and his behaviour became increasingly erratic. A heavy smoker, he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1997 and saw out his career playing small tournaments in Ireland.
He was found dead in his flat in Belfast on Saturday.
Leave your tributes to Alex Higgins below.
