Steve Davis recalls funny plane journey with Alex Higgins - "I s*** myself"

16 January 2023 , 15:58

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Alex Higgins pictured after beating Steve Davis in the the UK Snooker Championship final (Image: PA)

Snooker legend Steve Davis has recalled an hilarious plane journey he had while sat next to rival Alex Higgins, which left him so nervous he spilt his pint.

Nicknamed "Hurricane Higgins" due to his fast playing style the two-time snooker world champion had an iconic reputation during the 1970 and 80s with fans and being an unpredictable character amongst his fellow professionals. Davies won six world snooker titles but admitted to feeling a little nervous when in the presence of Hurricane Higgins.

Speaking on Stephen Hendry's CUE Tips on YouTube Davis is asked if he ever socialised with Higgins. In reply Davis said: "Yes, we were on a plane with seats next to each other.

"I didn't ask for them, but I got them. I totally s*** myself. Honestly, I was so nervous, sitting next to Alex Higgins on a plane that I tipped a beer over myself.

"He was so nice, we had such a good chat and I learnt much more about Alex than I had ever done before. I thought that he was a really lovely guy, it was to go to Canada when we played tournaments there.

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"Next time I saw him in Canada he had had a few beers and he could turn, he was a turner. If you saw Alex in a non-threatening environment as a player when he wasn't treating you as a threat you could have a nice night with him.

"We both saw the worst of him."

Steve Davis spoke about an hilarious plane journey while sat next to Alex Higgins

Alex Higgins (|right) and Steve Davis exchange handshakes before a semi-final of the UK Snooker Championship match (PA)

In 1972, Higgins became the first qualifier in history to become world champion at the age of just 22. He added a second title in 1982, and he was a beaten finalist in between each triumph.

Higgins was also twice a Masters champion, a UK Championship winner and a three-time World Cup winner with the all-Ireland side. His ability to make key pots under pressure was unrivalled and few players can claim to be as cool in the biggest moments.

Alex Higgins was loved amongst fans but his fellow players were left nervous due to his unpredictable nature (Getty Images)

Higgins was labelled ‘The People’s Champion’ thanks to his relationship with fans and not hiding his love for drinking and smoking. However, his chaotic lifestyle and drinking was exposed and he received a ban and £12,000 fine for head-butting an official after he was asked to take a drugs test.

In 1990 after losing in the world championships first round the intoxicated Higgins punched another official before announcing his retirement.

He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 and died at his Belfast home in 2010.

Benjamin Goddard