Higgins puts title win down to family support

John Higgins has welcomed putting the "hardest six months of his life" behind him after winning his third UK Championship title.

Higgins trailed 9-5 to Mark Williams but recovered to win 10-9 in Telford. It was his first major tournament win since serving a six-month ban for bringing the game into disrepute after admitting breaching rules around betting.

Higgins says his family helped him through those difficult times and he has won 18 out of 19 matches since returning to competitive action last month.

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He said: "It means everything just to be back playing and competing, and now winning the

UK title means a great deal. It has been the hardest six months I'll probably have to go through in my life but hopefully I've put it behind me. It is a learning curve and it has made me more determined."

Higgins added: "These things come to test you in life and this is one thing I've had to battle through.

"My wife Denise has been massive through all of this. Your wife, mum, dad, kids are the people that are behind you when all is said and done. There were probably some points when you thought you'd probably be cracking up and they keep you going and lift your spirits back up."

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