Three-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan on Sunday paid tribute to Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins, the former double world snooker champion, who died Saturday aged 61 after a long battle with throat cancer.
Higgins' flamboyant style was instrumental in attracting Sullivan to the sport, the 34-year-old explained.
"Alex Higgins was one of the real inspirations behind me getting into snooker in the first place.
"He is a legend of snooker, and should forever be remembered as the finest ever snooker player," O'Sullivan told the Sunday Telegraph.
O'Sullivan also described Higgins as a "legend" and "inspiration," paying further warm tribute on his website.
Belfast-born Higgins won the world title in 1972 and 1982, before first being diagnosed with cancer more than 10 years ago.
He earned millions in the years when snooker was a British national obsession, but blew it all in a long and turbulent descent into homelessness and drink.
