Higgins was deemed too frail to survive further crucial surgery after flying to Marbella in July for specialist treatment.

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>ALEX HURRICANE HIGGINS</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #404040; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Higgins was considered by many the greatest player ever seen but fought a battle with alcohol.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span><br /> <div style="color: #404040; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He will be best remembered for his second world title win in 1982 when he beat Welshman Ray Readon in a thrilling 18-15 final at the Sheffield Crucible arena on 16 May.</span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He had previously claimed the crown in 1972, and is credited with enhancing the sport’s popularity due to his infectious personality and unusual style of play.</span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But despite support from other stars including Jimmy White and John Virgo, Higgins was deemed too frail to survive further crucial surgery after flying to Marbella in July for specialist treatment.</span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Extensive radiotherapy treatment left the vivacious player without his teeth and unable to eat properly, causing his weight to plummet to less than seven stone.</span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"The way he played at his best is the way I believe the game should be played. It was on the edge, keeping the crowd entertained and glued to the action."</span></div>

Higgins was deemed too frail to survive further crucial surgery after flying to Marbella in July for specialist treatment.

ALEX HURRICANE HIGGINS Higgins was considered by many the greatest player ever seen but fought a battle with alcohol. He will be best reme...

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