Snooker star Alex Higgins dies

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<p> Snooker star Alex Higgins has died after a long battle with throat cancer. </p><p> The 61-year-old former world champion was known as the Hurricane by his many fans. </p><p> Higgins, from Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with throat cancer more than 10 years ago. He was discovered at a block of flats in the centre of Belfast. He had been unwell for some time. </p><p> The player had not been answering his mobile phone and the flat had to be broken into, sources close to him said. </p><p> Living in sheltered housing on the Donegall Road in Belfast, Mr Higgins is considered to be one of the finest snooker players of all time. He has had long-term problems with alcohol and smoking since winning the world title in 1972 and 1982. </p><p> Despite his numerous fights and rows with referees over the years, he continued to play the game regularly and appeared at the Irish Professional Championship in 2005 and 2006. </p><p> Higgins has been an inspiration for many of today's best players, including Ken Doherty, Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan. </p>