IT was a moment that shook the snooker world, but was “blown out of proportion”, according to Dennis Taylor.
Joe 90 has recalled the time Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins threatened to have him shot in a chilling confrontation in 1990.
Five years earlier, Taylor was the cream of the crop – winning at the Crucible against reigning champion Steve Davis 18-17 in an astonishing final.
But at the World Cup, when Taylor teamed up with Higgins for Northern Ireland, it all appeared to get very ugly.
Temperamental Higgins lost his cool after losing a frame, and was desperate to return to the table.
However, it was Taylor’s turn which would have broken the rules.
Higgins, who passed away in 2010 aged 61, saw red and took his anger out on his teammate.
He said to him: “The next time you go back home I’m going to have you shot.”
The heated conversation was overheard by reporters and it made front page news.
Later in a press conference, Higgins continued to berate Taylor.
He said: “He doesn’t deserve to wear this badge which shows the red hand of Ulster.
“If he wants to get into fisticuffs, I have given him my hotel room number.”
Taylor insists it wasn’t as bad as was made out.
The snooker commentator appeared on Conversations with Gerry Kelly on Belfast channel NVTV, when he said he was concerned by Higgins’ threat and that the pair had a good relationship together.
“And then I had to play him at the Irish Masters at Goffs in County Wicklow,” Taylor said as the match attracted media scrutiny.
“The atmosphere was incredible. I did manage to beat him but before he passed away, we were okay.”
Taylor also revealed how he helped Higgins early on in his career, and admired his talent.
“I thought this fella is a bit special,” Taylor added.
“When he moved over to Blackburn, I fixed him up with a little flat to stay in. I practised with Alex maybe for about 18 months in the local snooker club.”
