Alex Higgins (18 March 1949 – 24 July 2010) was a Northern Irish professional snooker player and a two-time world champion who is remembered as one of the most iconic figures in the sport's history. Nicknamed 'Hurricane Higgins' for his rapid play and known as the 'People's Champion' for his popularity and charisma. He is often credited as a key factor in snooker's success as a mainstream televised sport in the 1980s in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.