• Snooker

Alex Higgins requires critical dental surgery

ESPN staff
May 18, 2010
Alex Higgins has endured a long-term fight with throat cancer © Getty Images
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Friends of two-time world snooker champion Alex Higgins are fighting to raise £20,000 to pay for the Ulsterman to have potentially life-saving dental surgery.

The 61-year-old has endured a long-term battle with throat cancer and lost his teeth after undergoing radiotherapy treatment. Since then he has been living off baby food, leading to an alarming drop in weight to six stone.

Higgins' former personal assistant, Will Robinson, is leading the campaign to raise enough money to pay for teeth implants and insists the former star could die without them. A fund-raising dinner will be held in Manchester on Tuesday, with Higgins, Jimmy White and John Virgo all expected to attend.

"We are desperately trying to raise £20,000 for teeth implants, which his dentist insists will help him eat properly again," Robinson told the Daily Mirror. "Alex is living in a tiny flat in Belfast and has been living off baby food for years. It's so sad. Unless we do something he could be facing death.

"He's still loved by many and we're hoping people will remember what he brought to the sport.

"It would be amazing if he could get better and, who knows, one day made it back to the table."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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