Alex Higgins passes away

It was reported that he was found dead in a flat in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the city of his birth.

The flamboyant twice world champion, nicknamed 'Hurricane', had been suffering from the disease for the past decade.

Shaggy haired, often the worse for wear with drink and always smoking a cigarette, Higgins was largely credited with popularising the game as it became televised following the advent of colour TV.

Higgins was divorced twice and was once fined and banned from five tournaments after head-butting a championship referee.

He burst on the scene as a 22-year-old, winning the 1972 World Championship at his first attempt.

Higgins repeated the feat 10 years later and made four world finals in his career, but in recent years struggled with his health, shocking fans with his gaunt, frail appearance.

Snooker promoter Barry Hearn said: "I have known him for nearly 40 years.

"He was the major reason for snooker's popularity in the early days. He was controversial at times, but he always played the game in the right spirit.

"We will miss him - he was the original people's champion."