Alex Higgins was an infamous character despite his many talents. His volatile temperament and frequent arguments made him a polarising figure. The national media noticed his uninhibited lifestyle and he was not considered the "right" type.
Steve James defeated Alex Higgins at the 1990 World Snooker Championship in the opening round. After winning the semi final, he beat Ray Reardon by 18-15 to win the final. Higgins became the first person to qualify for four consecutive semifinals. The following season, however, he was defeated by Jimmy White in the semi-finals and Davy Ferguson, in the final.
Alex Higgins suffered from long-term alcoholism and smoking problems throughout his career. In 1998, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. However, he continued to play snooker, and in 2006 he became the first Irish snooker player to win the world title.
Alex "Hurricane", Higgins was an accomplished shotmaker during his prime. As evidenced by his open-necked shirt, he was also a very flamboyant character. A pall bearer was often with him. He was also a passionate smoker. In 2006, he joined over 200 others in suing Benson & Hedges for being a snooker sponsor.
Higgins abused alcohol, drugs, and gambling during his career. He was also stabbed by his ex-girlfriend Holly Haise, who claimed to have stabbed him three times in the arm. He also lost his battle with throat carcinoma, which complicated his life. He died in 2010 at age 61. His funeral was held in St Anne's Cathedral Belfast.
Alex "Hurricane” Higgins was known for being reckless and anti-heroic. He was a wild character with a volatile temperament that made him difficult for people to work with. Because he often got into trouble with authorities, he was expelled from the popular snooker TV program Pot Black.
Higgins was often out of the country, and he lived on the edge of danger. Lynn, his wife, cried once after he won a game. Lauren, his child, was taken to the Crucible stage when he won the World Championship. He was also involved in a brawl and threatened to shoot fellow player Dennis Taylor in the World Cup earlier that season. However, the police prosecution was dropped because there was no proof he actually hurt anyone.
Higgins was often the topic of controversy because of his frequent arguments, and his high alcohol intake. He was a habitual user of cocaine and had been diagnosed as having throat cancer. He also had a hard time dealing with the attention he was getting. His talent was captivating and he didn't have a manager. He was an instant hit at the box office when his talents were on display.
Alex "Hurricane", also known as Alex, was a quick shotmaker with a tremendous talent but was constantly undermined by his talent. He was a rebellious, anti-hero. He fought and won against the best players in the world, but always had an air of menace about him.