Alex Higgins has died
Alex Higgins was found this morning at his flat by carers
Alex Higgins, one of the most iconic players in the history of snooker, has died at the age of 61. He was found at his flat in Belfast by local carers who visited him regularly.
His failing health had been well documented, following a battle with throat cancer. He overcame that obstacle but became increasingly frail in recent months as damaged teeth, due to the cancer treatment, prevented him taking in solid food.
Recntly a fund raising event collected cash to pay for dental treatment and dentists queued up to perform the operation for free.
But sadly Higgins' frail state of health meant the operation couldn't be undertaken until he'd gained some strength and weight. The problem was that without the operation Higgins couldn't eat and without eating he couldn't undertake the operation.
That enigma summed up Higgins' entire life and career. A mixture of sublime talent and flawed genius ensured that Higgins was box office and tabloid headliner throughout his mercurial career.
The raw talent of Higgins emerged from the backstreets of Belfast where he honed his skills at the Jampot Club.
He became Northern Ireland's youngest amateur champion and turned professional in 1971.
And then he hit the headlines. At his first attempt he won the World Professional title in 1972, ousting the establishment figure of John Spencer 37-32.
He went on to reach World finals again in 1976 and 1980, but the highlight came in 1982 when an emotional Higgins lifted the trophy at the Crucible.
Higgins also won the Benson and Hedges Masters twice, and the UK Championship, but in between these triumphs came the low points.
In 1986, when asked to provide a routine urine sample for a drugs test, Higgins head butted the tournament director Paul Hatherell.
Worse followed in 1990, when he threatened to have Dennis Taylor shot, if he returned to Northern Ireland.
Also in 1990 he was found guilty of abusing a referee and received a £12,000 fine and a five tournament ban.
The ban saw him plummet down the rankings and with the game entering the Open Era Higgins never regained his status at the top of the sport.
He played his last ranking event qualifier in 1997 at the Plymouth Pavilions. And he didn't go quietly. He was found the following morning covered in blood, claiming to have been stabbed.
Higgins was diagnosed with throat cancer. The subsequent operation to remove a diseased lymph node from his neck was successful but the treatment had taken its toll.
His voice was reduced to a husky whisper and the damage to his teeth was to prove an obstacle from which he couldn't recover.
He enjoyed a brief Indian Summer on the exhibition circuit. Mainly in partnership with Jimmy White, but also on the Legends Tour, Higgins was able to show meagre glimpses of his once formidable talents to a new audience.
Love him, or hate him, Alex Higgins leaves an indelible mark on the history of snooker.
