John Higgins consoled by BBC host live on air as Scottish snooker legend chokes backs tears
John Higgins was overcome with emotion during a live BBC broadcast as he opened up about his father-in-law's heart attack last week.
In spite of the personal struggles, the snooker star from Wishaw pulled off a 10-7 victory over Joe O'Connor in the opening round of the World Snooker Championship. Higgins encountered some turbulence during the initial session but regained composure to deliver a remarkable performance in the latter segment.
His participation at the Crucible was touch and go following his decision to forego media day on Thursday and other pre-tournament engagements like the Champions Dinner and the Green Carpet event.
Choosing to stay by his wife Denise's side in Scotland during a trying time for their family, the four-time world champion eventually arrived in Sheffield, timing his return to form perfectly to triumph over O'Connor.
After a slightly slower start, which saw him trailing 5-4 at the halfway stage, Higgins made an impressive comeback with a powerful second session, securing him a spot in the last 16 against Xiao Guodong.
Reflecting on the tense match, Higgins said: "That was a tough game. I thought Joe played great in the first session and I just managed to scramble out at 5-4. Tonight I played better."
The emotional weight of the moment caught up with Higgins, who shed tears on camera and was consoled and embraced by BBC presenter Seema Jaswal. Sharing more of his sentiments, Higgins added: "That was the most emotional I have ever been today.
(Image: BBC)
"I left my wife and I was in tears. Obviously my father-in-law wasn't great. I was sitting having dinner with my boy last night and I was thinking about sitting here with my dad 25 years ago.
"I was drained today. I had a couple of hours sleep and I came out tonight and felt a lot better and played a lot better. I am still so proud that I am still playing at a good level at this age."
Last year, Higgins hinted that 2025 could be his final year as a snooker player. The Wizard of Wishaw is a four-time World Snooker Championship winner and also has three minor-ranking titles to his name.
(Image: VCG, VCG via Getty Images)
At present, he is the World No. 3, but has previously occupied the top spot as the highest-ranked snooker player in the past. Last year, after losing to Mark Allen in the Tour Championship, Higgins suggested that he may soon retire.
He said to ITV: "I thought Mark played very well tonight. I should have been in front today, 4-4. then I thought Mark played better tonight.
"I missed two or three unforgivable balls at this level. You cannot afford to miss and my long game was really non-existent as well.
"At this level it's not good enough against the best players. I just need to dust myself down. A couple of weeks before the Worlds, try and get some good practice and go there and give it a final go, maybe?"
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