What they’re saying about Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins

Tributes have flooded in after the death of celebrated snooker maverick Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins, whose body was found on Saturday in the sheltered housing block where he was staying in Belfast.

The two-times world champion had spent years battling throat cancer and had long since frittered away the millions he earned during his heyday. It has been reported that he weighed just 38kg when he died aged 61.
 
But despite his problems he remained an iconic figure and such was his standing in his native Northern Ireland that a book of condolence will open today at Belfast City Hall.
 
His rise to prominence coincided with that of the sport. His won his first world title in 1972 at the Selly Park British Legion in Birmingham where the prize money was £480. When he won his second crown 10 years later, millions watched on television as he beat Ray Reardon at the Crucible Theatre and tearfully hugged his wife and son.
 
Despite his volatile character, his fans worshipped him as one of the sport's great personalities.
 
He was not so popular with the other players and officials. In 1986, he headbutted a referee at the UK Championship and at the 1990 World Championship he punched a tournament official before a press conference at which he announced his retirement.
 
In the same year, he also threatened to have fellow Northern Irishman Dennis Taylor "shot".
 
He admitted to taking drugs during his career and fought a long battle with alcohol. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 and, although had been in remission for years, his health never recovered.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
 
Clive Everton, the Observer: "His compulsive urge to live on life's dangerous edge, stronger than any mere desire to win, was like an addiction to the thrill of gambling."
 
Willie Thorne: "They say every genius is bordering on mad and Alex was certainly that. You never knew if he would jump into the crowd or hit the referee or walk out or what he would do. But he was also a fantastic cue man and played some great stuff. He created shots that everybody now copies. To have only won the world title twice didn't do justice to his talent. He could have won it many more times."
 
John Parrott: "He was a very strange and complex character. You never really knew what you were going to get with him. The players, even the ones who were for many years at loggerheads with him over certain things, will still be sad to see him go because they realise what a debt they owe to him for the sport.
 
Ronnie O'Sullivan: "He is a legend of snooker, and should forever be remembered as the finest ever snooker player."
 
Nick Metcalfe, the Mail on Sunday: "The passing of Higgins has left a sadness, not just for the loss of the man himself, but because it serves as a reminder that snooker's golden era has so long left us." ·