Snooker legend Hurricane Higgins 'fights pneumonia'

The twice world champion has fought a long battle with throat cancer and he is believed to have been admitted to the Belfast

City Hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties.

A hospital spokesman said last night: "We will be making no comment on Mr Higgins's condition."

The 61-year-old from Northern Ireland, known as the Hurricane by his fans, has suffered declining health in recent years.

Friends and family have feared for the controversial Belfast player since he was diagnosed with throat cancer over ten years ago. He is in remission but its toll on his body is evident in his drawn appearance.

Higgins, who lives in sheltered housing on the Donegall Road in Belfast, 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.

Despite numerous rows with referees over the years, the one-time bad-boy of snooker still plays the game regularly and appeared at the Irish Professional Championship in 2005 and 2006.

Higgins has been an inspiration for many of today's best players, including Ken Doherty, Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

He turned professional at 22, winning the World Snooker Championship at his first attempt in 1972 against John Spencer.

Higgins was the youngest winner of the title until Stephen Hendry's 1990 victory at the age of 21. He again reached the final in 1976, only to lose to Ray Reardon.