25 Jul 2010

"Hurricane" Higgins dies

8:26 am on 25 July 2010

Alex "Hurricane" Higgins, the former double world snooker champion, has died at the age of 61.

The Belfast-born Higgins was suffering from throat cancer.

He earned his nickname from his flamboyant playing style, walking swiftly around the table while potting balls at a rapid rate.

A heavy smoker who also had drink problems, Higgins was divorced twice and was once fined and banned from five tournaments after headbutting a championship referee.