Alex Higgins (1949–2010), from Belfast was one of snooker’s all-time greats. He was nicknamed Hurricane Higgins because of the speed at which he played. He started playing snooker at the age of 11 in his local club in Belfast and turned professional at the age of 22. He won the world championship at his first attempt in 1972. He was brilliant and charismatic when playing snooker. He transformed snooker into the most popular sport in Britain by the early 1980s and became known as the People’s Champion. In 1982 he won his second world title; the gap of ten years between his first and second crown remains a record. He had an unpredictable character and media was fascinated by his genius. His unpredictability meant he faced problems and troubles throughout his life. He died in 2010, aged 61.