Stars to pay tribute to flawed genius Higgins

Snooker's greatest names from past and present are expected to attend the funeral of Alex Higgins, when the Hurricane is finally laid to rest.

Higgins – world champion in 1972 and 1982 – died on Saturday after a long battle with throat cancer in his home city of Belfast, aged 61.

Around £10,000 raised to help Higgins receive medical treatment prior to his death will go towards his funeral, which will be delayed to allow his friend Jimmy White to return from Thailand to attend.

Higgins' former personal assistant Will Robinson said the remaining money from an auction and Manchester fundraising dinner will be used to give the snooker star a "great send–off".

Higgins travelled to Spain earlier this month for a dental operation, but medics deemed him too frail to go ahead with the procedure.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, the three–time world champion and, like Higgins, arguably the most naturally-gifted snooker player of his generation, was moved to pursue a career in the sport after witnessing the Hurricane's quickfire approach.

"Alex was one of the real inspirations behind me getting into snooker," said the 34–year–old.

"He is a true legend and should be forever remembered as being the finest–ever snooker player."

While Higgins, who in claiming the 1972 title became the youngest World Championship winner at his first attempt, helped raise the profile of the sport, there was also a darker side to his personality.

Higgins was banned from five tournaments and fined £12,000 in 1986 when he headbutted UK Championship tournament director Paul Hatherell.

In 1990, Higgins threatened to have fellow player Dennis Taylor shot and he was banned for the rest of the season after he punched a tournament director at the World Championships.

Higgins underwent surgery to remove cancer from his throat in 1998.

By then he was a heavy drinker and smoker with both addictions seriously affecting his health.