“He Was Drinking Large Vodka And Oranges!” Jimmy On The Impossible Higgins Break | Eurosport Snooker

[@barneygumble2630]

You can see the genuine love Jimmy had for Alex in this interview. Probably the only guy in snooker that had Alex’s interest at heart. Respect to you Jimmy.

[@BullyBoxer]

We will always be a fan of the whirlwind .

[@PrivateEye121]

Alex was the reason I asked my mother for a snooker table for Xmas in 1983, yeah it was 5ft by 2 1/2ft but I loved it.

[@cantthinkofausername8698]

Don't call your mum 'it', that's bad.

[@Atheist1306]

​@@cantthinkofausername8698 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@cerneuffington2656]

I asked my mum for a bottle of vodka 😆

[@jshaw4757]

​@@cantthinkofausername8698😂

[@jay-lm4we]

He was the reason i started drinking large vodkas and orange

[@royalhero4608]

80s snooker was an era of titans, an era of LEGENDS

[@SteveJabbaYT]

Absolutely

[@dvidclapperton]

The golden oldies were well in the procesa of fading at the end of the 1980's into the 1990's though. I suspect many of those ago turned pro very end or the 1980's up to 1995 would have replaced the 1980's golden oldies in the top 16 had they been born 10 years sooner all turned pro 10 years earlier than they did.

[@arethosemyfeet7144]

In the 2010s, at the peak of my missus ball game, she was a titan. She was never the same after the kids

[@scottfreckle237]

I'm loving that Alan is getting involved in the commentary side, you can hear the pure love and admiration he has for the game and the players when they play a great shot he can't contain himself and it's infectious for the audience, probably the first commentator I can remember who just let's go and says it how it is with pure gusto and zero professional restraint

[@leemendez7876]

Fully agree. I found him boring as a player to be honest but as a pundit he is brilliant. He's personality has really come out.

[@meisterlymanu5214]

really, all i can hear are sniffs and cutting Jimmy off, because he really deep down wants the conversation to be about him. And my 6th sixth sense is spot on.

[@tnx4life]

Alan likes talking. Jimmy sometimes visibly gets annoyed

[@mollyoneye]

He wasn't the greatest of players but a brilliant commentator and sexy as hell

[@claudfraser6716]

@leemendez7876 Mate I was just about to make the same comment in reply to the first until I read yours, for me as a Player he was like “Steve interesting” Davis not very interesting! Although Alan was nowhere as good but as a pundit he’s right up there with John Virgo I think and I rate Stephen Hendry as a pundit who’s usually right bang on it!

[@alangrynich2037]

I got my first small table after watching Jimmy and Alex in 1982 it went on my nan's coffee table and to this day it was one of the best presents I have ever had Jimmy and Alex there era made snooker

[@alanna4858]

Never get tired of hearing about this match. Amazing

[@mickharrison9004]

Wonder were the mellons comes from 😂

[@jakehope6811]

@@mickharrison9004 I’d love to see proof of deserving that namesake mate 👀🤣

[@ISuperTed]

I remember seeing Alex years ago in a qualifying tournament near Bristol and he was absolutely out of it, staggering round the table, bumping into things. He lost heavily but could still play even in that state. Amazing talent but his own worse enemy.

[@bluedale6563]

He was mentally ill....Bi Polar

[@johndean4765]

Ianackery so he COULDN'T play if he lost heavily.

[@hetrodoxlysonov-wh9oo]

@@johndean4765 lot's of good players 'lose heavily'.

[@323v6]

Jimmy is my snooker hero all day !

[@iancork9721]

I love Jimmy's stories.

[@markfellows2268]

I loved watching Alex, he perked my love of the game that has stayed with me. For his vices, the modern generation of players have so much to thank him for, he really did raise the profile of snooker to offer a flamboyant way of playing that others followed. Snooker wouldn't be the same without Alex.

[@Softlad92]

PLEASE NEVER STOP REMINISCING ON THESE LEGENDS ESPECIALLY ALEX HIGGINS, now we have the internet people can look up these incredible moments. These legends live in our hearts, im 30 been into the game for the last 10 years or so and i still and always will look upto to these legends. Thank you guys and thank you snooker.

[@doctord8589]

Relax take a chill pill!!

[@Softlad92]

@@doctord8589 how come? Are you okay friend? Was this too much for you? So sorry mate, hope your okay buddy. Love you. Thank you mate.

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

I'm 52, used to watch the snooker with my dad in the 80's, remember no one had ever seen anyone play as fast as Higgins, he was a sensation at the time.

[@Gray-zi5bp]

💯🇯🇲🇬🇧👍

[@joffey1212]

I met Alex when he was staying with Oliver read, in a pub in a nearby village ,he was bladdered and the landlord said you should have something to eat, he replied he never eats on a empty stomach

[@VeteranHedonist]

Bet that was some session Alex Higgins and Oliver Reed. 😁

[@finnkdy]

@@VeteranHedonistyip, and I read that right.

[@JohnConboy1]

🤣😂

[@bazsully4205]

Rip Alex thanks for the memories growing up in the 80s 🎱🙏

[@jimbobalob2491]

You know, I think that was his cause of death, starvation. He never ate anything.

[@kieranokeeffe1363]

I had the privilege of meeting Jimmy a few times at the greyhound racing, he is an absolute gentleman and what a fantastic player he is, I love the mad Alex Higgins and Jimmy White style of trying the audacious shots that you would only try in practice on your own, I met and was lucky enough to play Steve Davis, what a brilliant player and a really funny entertainer, the Steve interesting Davis title was supposed to be a dig at he’s boring play but omg he was awesome! these three revolutionised the game, they are fathers of the absolute amazing talent we have seen since, hats off to their brilliance 👏👏👏👏👏

[@alanjones5786]

I had the sort of privilege of meeting jimmy he came into my pub in Balham coked up with his mates who were the same Refused to serve them. Well that’s the law!

[@MK-so2iz]

I have never heard Jimmy's voice go so high when he says "he had to put a red in the green pocket! (3:05). there is so much excitement in his voice, it must have been crazy fighting to win a world championship for himself whilst playing his hero, and it seems to still bring him joy now. great vibes good chat

[@KurtEdwards-in3cq]

It’s absolutely unthinkable how high the adrenaline must have been running!! Amazing

[@leedaniels1468]

It was and still is the most remarkable break ever and the point and wink to the commentary box at the end makes it the coolest.

[@michaelgaskell2031]

For me personally the greatest ever. Loved him. Complete maverick

[@wandelust]

Yeah, he was always my favourite

[@sabretooth5404]

Nowhere even close to the greatest player ever. But 100% the greatest character the game has ever seen

[@michaelpower4372]

Even now May 4th 2024 love watching the king of snooker Alex hurricane Higgins on KZbin over any other player. Even todays players. RIP Alex🕯🙏🕯🙏🕯🙏🕯🙏🕯

[@mickmcdonagh1557]

Alex Higgins was the games biggest showman / entertainer a complete one off there will never be another like him RIP alex Higgins

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

Just as Georgie Best attracted most kids/men/women to watch Football and Bjorn Borg in tennis, Alex Hurricane Higgins did exactly the same for snooker. The majority of people didn't tune in to watch Davis, Thorburn, Griffiths etc. Love him or hate him predominantly, they tuned in to watch The Hurricane!! 👍

[@danimayb]

I tuned in to watch Davis lol Absolute machine! Just wanted to him to win every match and was terribly gutted when he didn't. That man got me into snooker no doubt about that, No offence to rest aha. But yeah Alex was a proper character and a quality player for sure R.I.P

[@finnkdy]

@@danimayb yeah course, character and bravery don't reside in Davis county.

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

@@danimayb I was very careful to use the word "predominantly" as like yourself, there will always be exceptions to any rule 👍

[@rickyb5499]

Great point, well made. 👍👍

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Like Hunt with motor racing and Sheene with bike racing, these guys had bags of flair and charisma which as you say attracted whole families to the sports not just men, sadly men of their time in a period long gone.

[@davorock2974]

Everyone remembers where they were when Alex and Jimmy had us mesmerized. I was on my lunch break and did not go back to work. I lost my job, but won a small fortune when Alex won the crown. There was rely only Alex and Jimmy , The wizard and his apprentice, for me in those days. What magic. Oh! Doug Mountjoy!! They were all great, what a game snooker is.

[@dvidclapperton]

Reardon could have won the 1982 world final had White got through to the final instead. And the final with Higgins was very close 18-15, it was 15-15 not long before that.

[@Patriotic_Eagle1995]

The moment at 3:04 when Jimmy's talking about Alex potting a blue and the editor cuts to Alex potting a different blue, it really says everything about Eurosport's coverage of snooker. At first glance it looks OK, but if you pay a little attention it's screamingly obvious it's put together by people with zero love for the sport or with any attention to detail.

[@Revolver1981]

BBC owns the major Snooker tournaments for certain man.

[@alexluke6665]

I think it's more they were showing him clearing the colours interspersed with the interview. They show the brown before that and the pink and black after. IMO Eurosport's coverage is probably the best out there.

[@Revolver1981]

@@alexluke6665 No pal. That's where you're wrong. The BBC is the home of Snooker coverage. Always has been, always will be.

[@gaywest4298]

I grew up watching Higgins in the 80's. The greatest entertainer the game has ever seen.

[@mickmcdonagh1557]

He was easily the most exiting player that ever picked up a cue ....just mesmerising. RIP Alex hurricane higgins

[@MattBridger]

Correct.

[@dvidclapperton]

Headbutting a WPBSA official is not entertainment.

[@gaywest4298]

@@dvidclapperton I meant on the table. He did some bad things, which can't be condoned though.

[@mackychloe]

John Virgo.... for comedic value.

[@Longrunthefox]

Alex Higgins The Maradona Of Snooker

[@marksinclair5927]

Maradona. You mean the drug taking pratt

[@kellyreardon7386]

My old pal played for Wales against ireland for the YMCA in the early 60s against Alex. Brian breeze was his name. He said the memory he was this kid really quick and potted like hell!!!

[@chimneydriptray2439]

Higgins made smoker exciting. Fantastic player and a inspiration to many of todays players.

[@benjifriendstv7516]

Jimmy is hammered 😅

[@Михаиллеви]

Its like one of those 70s talk shows where ever guest was two sheets to the wind. Mc Manus sounds on edge like the nominated driver on lime and soda 😂

[@lightningleaf23]

John Higgins could play 🤷‍♂️ think Jim’s been on the large vodka and oranges

[@steviesvideos319]

"Snooker loopy nuts is he....had to many cokes and speed" 🤣👀

[@ashTHFCley]

100%pukka

[@dvidclapperton]

Completely stoned.

[@cloudstrife206]

Fair play to Angles for keeping a straight face when Jimmy said he is going to win it one day 😅

[@mickharrison9004]

😂😂😂

[@shushup6557]

I know.

[@stitcha123]

Why? When Jimmy’s game is right he can make it all he way to the qualifiers.

[@mickharrison9004]

@@stitcha123 lol you said it yourself he can make it to qualifiers, you get in touch with a bookie ask Jimmy's odds for winning the world champs be 5,000 to 1 lol.

[@stitcha123]

@@mickharrison9004 glad you almost got the joke.

[@JOHNNY-zx1lc]

If Jimmy won the world championship I think it would be one of greatest moments in sports. Its good he still believes. He'll always be the people's champ regardless.

[@alexjewell2351]

Love him to bits. It still rankles me that he isn't a several times champion. The match versus Hendry in 92 is still difficult to take.

[@dvidclapperton]

White should have been 16-10 up in 1992, but he was not sober and was high and after he went 14-8 he missed 2 big opportunities in those first 4 of the 10 he lost in a row that would have put him 16-10 up. He lost all 4 and once it was 14-12 there was no turning of the tide back in White's favour.

[@alexjewell672]

Never realised that, I knew they used to drink but never knew he was high. What had he taken?

[@tommycanavan8285]

​@@alexjewell672 coke

[@johnmc3862]

White is 100% right when he says Higgins was doing shots before anyone else. He pioneered plenty of shots and ways of playing. 4:36

[@Spicedforlife]

What a lovely guy Jimmy is, and was more than touched by the magic dust of Alex in his career.

[@timcrook2231]

Never met Alex, but met Jimmy at the Rothmans Grand Prix back in 1985 he lost 5-3 that to Salvino Francesco met him outside of the venue still popular with fans even though he lost signing autographs a good sport even when someone shouted out Francesco to him, he looked up with a smile and said who said that? 🖖🔝😉

[@Mr.Grimsdale]

I started playing football for a new team in the early 80's and in the first game i would hear 'Jimmy' being shouted now and again, so i asked a team-mate which one was Jimmy, he replied "you !" after a while the name stuck even though it wasn't my real name. I met one guy through work who was totally convinced i was an absolute double of Jimmy and he wanted to be my agent, i declined. I wish i could have played like him than look like him.

[@myles.oreilly.4683]

Rest in peace Alex My hero Forever 🙏🇮🇪

[@tonysburgers7223]

Oh I twas a legendary character

[@TimeTraveller3256]

Yes RIP ALEX im gonna have a little drink and say a little toast the man !

[@tonysburgers7223]

@@C-sidesammy what was he then?

[@whitetroutchannel]

you mean n.ire

[@PhilippinesUntold76]

Alex was a genius

[@michaeljohnson5365]

That win from Alex won him the 1982 Worlds

[@billycasper289]

Jimmy loved Alex fact respect to both legends

[@salty-qe1ux]

higgins the ultimate showman

[@mddistribution30]

I was ten in 82 but I can remember Higgins' run at the Worlds that year. Can remember him beating Thorne and Jimmy. Was probably one of the first tournaments that got me interested in snooker. Jimmy is pissed in this interview I think

[@martinmcdonald4207]

Gotta love the respect Jimmy has for his old hero and mate Alex.

[@ahadmohammed784]

Always a Jimmy fan

[@manosparavida3551]

Jimmy White used to live 80 yards away from me, up until 8+ years ago. We used to speak about Pattaya, Thailand on occasion. Always a decent gentleman to speak with 👍

[@jozefserf2024]

4:54 Thats why you could never take your eyes off him.

[@SteveJabbaYT]

Lovely interview. Good to see Jimmy on TV too - though nothing will match his epic battles with Hendy and Davis in the 80s and 90s. Still glad to see him around. Re Alex Higgins - there wouldn't; BE snooker without him.

[@jennycampbell8539]

Alex and Jimmy my 2 favourite player's of all time

[@garyfallows1123]

I think Alex would have been multiple world champion had he thought more about the winning rather than pleasing the crowd with all the flair shots, BUT, then that wouldn't have been Alex, he put snooker where it is today, RIP Genius

[@roywilliams3793]

Really good comments Alex is my one and true hero. Wish he was still here, I went to see is grave two years ago and brought some flowers for is to sisters. There should be a statue at the waterfront of snooker in Belfast, so come on council do want is right and do it.

[@kevinotoole885]

Think Jimmy has had a few doubles by the sounds of it 😂 legend though !

[@Dat-yi4iz]

He was steaming love it not many can play pissed but he was one of those pure genius but as with all geniuses highly flawed but that why vast majority of fans loved him and snooker is still on tv because of him first

[@redd605]

The blue shot , watching it live on at the when I was small ,I can remember saying what was that and the weird spin on the cue ball making it go a different direction to what it should off done , I couldn't stop smiling

[@LordFlashheart.11]

Even if Jimmy had won against Alex, he'd have lost against Ray Reardon. Ray would have wrapped him up in knots then counter attacked. Alex could make shots that nobody else could see and use side spin unlike any other!

[@tobyharling719]

Fair, he lost to Ray Reardon in a final later that year.

[@LordFlashheart.11]

@@tobyharling719 yes he did. 👍🏻

[@ebenalmanac]

The greatest break ever . Alex was Jedi lured to the Darkside .

[@VelcroKittie]

Just love Jimmy White. He is such a likable fella.

[@thespursfan7564]

MY TWO HEROES ALEX JIMMY AND RONNIE BSTON HANDED DOWN TO EACH ONE , WHAT A BREAK , MISS ALEX LOVE JIMMY AN RON NIE , THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE AMAZING MEMORIES YOU HAVE ALL GIVEN ME

[@craigbrand712]

Loved Jimmy White. Met him a few times when he was in Brighton. Once bought him a vodka/orange @ Funky Buddha Brighton. Legend 😊

[@ianwilliamson2980]

amazing how he did that half drunk .met higgins one time up here .

[@pauliepaul3697]

Well if he was sober he would of had the shakes and i don't mean milk shakes 😂

[@MrAshtute]

I saw Alex in an exhibition and he really was a genius with a cue in his hand

[@glennpowell3444]

Just you tube John Virgo doing his famous Alex Higgins impressisions.Spot on.Remember Higgins came into the sport along side the old stalwarts that took an hour to play a frame.You could argue he changed the way snooker was played into what it is today.Jimmy White was great equally to watch.Fast!

[@seanscanlon9067]

Alan’s face and throat clearing around 1:26 when Jimmy said he thinks he can still win the world title.

[@JohnDurkin-mh4wn]

Could sit and listen to you guys talking all day

[@deandoherty1163]

I love that one day we see another player that played like Alex Higgins brave crazy here's hoping

[@streetcat1510]

Alan’s my favourite commentator now just in front of Joe Johnson.

[@A43R3W]

One of the best breaks ever

[@JohnDurkin-mh4wn]

I could sit and listen to Alan and Jimmy chatting all day long

[@alanmctavish4802]

After the 1982 final wich alex won, me and most of my friends asked for a snooker table for xmas. Mines was a 5ft one but i loved it. My friend had a 6ft one like alot of people and ma friend had a 7ft one and it seemend huge when your just 8 years old. Compared to the 6ft ones we played on. It was huge and too big for his room, but ye still managed those up against the wall pots lol

[@Dominicohanlon-t3v]

I met Jimmy in a garden centre last week...he was looking at a plant !!😂

[@paulkenney700]

then he potted a few?

[@johnblack9298]

Alex Higgins What a legend Made the game what it is Always remember the quotes "Snookers a hard game but he found life harder" Come on the Hurricane 👌

[@reverentalexanderchezeley-6367]

He was year's ahead of his time Alex was. A Genius.

[@grsl4026]

We need more characters in snooker. Who’s going to remember the current crop of snooker players today in 20 years

[@serenityinside1]

Apart from Ronnie I think you mean ?!! Take your point tho- it’s become more professional + more money is why surely.

[@grsl4026]

@@serenityinside1 yeh. Ronnie to be fair, he will be remembered, wonder if that’s why he does it

[@_witsd]

We need Dechawat to win a few tournaments.

[@SteveJabbaYT]

Maybe Ronnie and Trump, poss Higgins and Williams. Class of 90s

[@dvidclapperton]

They make a lot of high breaks in huge numbers today that the golden oldies of the 1970's and 1980's were not capable of achieving. Even if their primes were all right now. Knowles, Meo, Griffiths, Taylor Thorne etc etc would not all be mainstays of the top 16 today the way they were in the 1980's.

[@adrianwright8685]

People don't give credit for Higgins healthy lifestyle: he always had orange juice with his vodka.

[@guinnessharvey4476]

They really should show the shots they’re referring to

[@johnmc3862]

Well I think Jimmys was a double Vodka. 😅

[@guinnessharvey4476]

@@johnmc3862 😂

[@SpicyJohn69]

1:22:... As much as I love Jimmy, I was cracking up at Alan's throat clearance and facial expressions after Jimmy said "I still think I can win it"... You just know he was too polite to say "Shut up Jim, you're talking shite mate!"

[@aveepy3072]

was a bit hard to watch that

[@pauliepaul3697]

Once a pisshead always a pisshead 😅

[@bushwhackeddos.2703]

Jim is controlled by his syrup,

[@andrewmacleod5826]

Love Jimmy AND Alex xx🎉

[@moses5161]

Alex Higgins The George Best.

[@Northman.56]

You can slag of Higgins but he had the onions to risk everything and come out tops.Jimmy White reminded me of Higgins style.Two gangsters who didn't give a tosh about the other boring players.

[@dave9456]

Sounds like Jim has had a cheeky little livener 😂😂

[@Sr19769p]

Higgins took more shots at the bar than he did at the snooker table. What a guy!

[@MackemdownsouthF.T.M]

I used to play football with his son...he had so much talent...great lefty

[@sorrenable]

Always A Big Joy to listen to Jimmy white ❣️🌟❣️🌟❣️👍👍💯💯💯

[@trailerpark948]

what about when Jimmy played S. Hendry and his Steve Davis finals? What could've been.

[@trailerpark948]

This is a brilliant interview. Next one please Jimmy v Henry, Davis. When he should have won.

[@Neil-dl3ke]

Top stuff well played lads

[@jimbobjonez]

Jimmy's hair ages like a fine wine, he's an absolute legend one of the best players to grace the table. Ref Higgins like any drug you cam ride it until it takes over and ruins you. Imagine how good he would have been without the booze

[@scsutton1]

Ronnie O'Sullivan is the best snooker player I've seen live. Alex Higgins is the best player I wish I'd seen live. That extraordinary break is why.

[@colinevans39]

Great man Jimmy 🙏😊

[@P_owie]

I'm trying to find out which game they are talking about. Any help???

[@jameslazer819]

Sniff...what a legend! Sniff

[@welshwizard55]

I remember watching Alex playing in Aldershot at the Jimmy White Snooker lodge. He had a Pint glass of what looked like water. It was mainly Vodka, Yes he had a drink problem, BUT he was a great player. I think it was 1991

[@evilpickle67]

That break was the sexiest in snooker history.

[@mojopin70]

I lost count of how many times i willed Jimmy to win a world title when i was a kid i couldn't understand it!

[@darrenpayne7733]

There you go, FINALLY proof that the shot S. Murphy did with that red that went viral was not original, A. Higgins did it on pot black YEARS before, I remember it but had no video proof but thanks to Jimmy here mentioning it we can all now acknowledge it was an Alex shot and not a Murphy original, if there was video proof then it would have been uploaded and Murphy's version would not be so remembered on the level it is with modern day fans.

[@priscillaroberts7945]

And i say again the technology of modern cloth ,cues and chalk has made a massive difference but cream always rises to the top.

[@edwardoliver3473]

Cmon jimmy! Win that worlds!

[@Mod-rw9cw]

Jimmy is absolutely reeling on here.

[@DameTremonti]

Utterly shitfaced for sure.

[@Mod-rw9cw]

@Trixie K Your brain is dead now

[@johnmc3862]

Alan know that well. 😂

[@AlanGrynich]

Jimmy forever

[@alanmayo9770]

At 1:28 when Jimmy says that he still thinks he can win the world championship, Alan nearly choked trying not to laugh

[@Tigerbaysoulcrew]

I just watched it unbelievable nobody else could have done that

[@markdouglas5310]

As Steve Davis acknowledged while being interviewed with Alex Higgins, even though there had been issues between Higgins and Davis, (and a few others), there was no animosity and Davis also stated that: "WITHOUT ALEX, the rest of the snooker fraternity would not be enjoying the high level of earnings and success that they are today".

[@thespursfan7564]

STILL BRINFGS TEARS TO MY EYES , LOVE EM ALL

[@FrankStewart-xi6ge]

I like the term" STEAMING".Jimmy deffo knew Higgy.😊

[@ashleychambers7602]

Not many characters in the modern game. Higgins was so unpredictable and that’s why I loved watching him and always wanted him to win

[@SD-it5ko]

2:10 McManus seemt really interested lol

[@RosieHarp]

The 90's called, Paul Weller wants his hair back 😆

[@denniswright4807]

Alex put snooker on the map .

[@noelmcgrath1808]

I met alex in the fox and duck in sheffield once he was pissed in the afternoon and very nice ps he loced a flutter as well lol