LONDON – The funeral of former world snooker champion Alex Higgins took place at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.

Video The Hurricane & People’s Champion Alex Higgins funeral at St Anne, Belfast

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The Hurricane had been battling throat cancer since 1998 and had been away from the public spotlight for some time though he still played in competitive competition up until 2006.

The 61-year-old was known for his unpredictable and difficult character, arguing with referees and was also known to be a heavy smoker, alcoholic and obsessive gambler.

Higgins however, still managed to take the game into wider audiences and was one of the key players who took the sport to its greatest heights in the 80’s.

He was also known as the People’s Champion due to his popularity and won the snooker World Championship twice, in 1972 and 1982. Higgins also came runners up twice in the competition.

Thousands of people gathered along the route of the cortege on its way to the cathedral along with fellow snooker player and old friend Jimmy White and others.

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