played him a few years ago for a fiver in the Rosetta beat him an would'nt take his money.I belive he is living with his sister in Lisburn

Good on you nevsy.
I remember seeing him on TV hugging his son after a win. I think he was crying. Hope he is still close to him!!

Yeah as far as I know he is still in contact with his son he had surgery for thoart cancer about 10 yrs ago he just spents his time swigging and punting and plays the odd exhibition here and there.The snooker world though has more or less turned thier back on him but Belfast and its people still hold him dearly and look after him.Just another one of our greats destroyed by the pressure of fame and stardom.

Nev

Not convinced it was the pressure of fame and stardom. I honestly think he is one of those people who cannot deal with life and he would be no different if he didn't have the talent he does. He's always done the punting, even when he was top of the game. There was a quote he gave to a Guardian journalist years ago when asked if he'd enjoyed his life so far. He said "'I haven't really had much to do with my life,' he said. 'All I've done is take part in it.' I think that's really sad.

Its the celtic gene I think. People over here call it a West of Scotland thing, but I honestly think it's prevelant in Ireland as well.
We will give you a great night out, but you wouldn't want to live wth us

True

My future ex wife would agree with ya

Saw him play a semi-final in Derby. He was getting hammered after the 1st session but won all the evening fames to go through. Absolutely amazing.

The next day the organisers had to drag him pissed out of Pizza hut and get him to the final. He lost to someone I can't even remember (Bob Chaperon????)..

I am old enough to remember when Pot Black was a boring little thing on BBC2 and seeing a very young Alex coming into the limelight.

Alex seems to be another Irish genious sportsman who has demons running through his head...and booze will not shift them...but they keep trying.

Long ago people in the sport could see this happening.. but there is no facility - short of sectioniing under the Mental Health Act.. to help people like Alex.

I just hope the punters who the £5 dont ever beat him, not to help him buy booze, but rather when he is getting beaten by Joe Public ... his world really will cave in on him.