A new documentary for BBC explores the legend of one of snooker's most infamous characters, Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins.

Often referred to as the George Best of snooker, Belfast-born Higgins was a player blessed with enormous talent and was the catalyst that brought the game into millions of homes.

But he also had a self-destruct button that consistently overshadowed his often breathtaking snooker.

The 60-minute profile relives the excitement of his playing days and his turbulent life away from the table - the women, drinking and gambling which often got in the way of his play.

Higgins was 22 when he won snooker's World Championship at his first attempt in 1972. He repeated the feat in 1982.

But he suffered from a major drinking problem and also found himself in trouble with the authorities on more than one occasion.

Archive footage from the player's heyday show how his speed around the snooker table kept the nation transfixed.

One of the most memorable sporting moments shown on television was when Higgins tearfully called forward his wife and daughter after becoming world champion in 1982.

Interviews with fellow professionals also help to paint the portrait of the tragic Higgins.