After Dinner Speakers: John Higgins, Petula Clark, Cindy Crawford

JOHN Higgins created his first major impact in the 1994/95 season. Having turned professional in 1992 along with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Higgins made his name by becoming the first teenager to win three ranking events in one season: the Grand Prix, the International Open and the British Open. His season's earnings were Ł283,970, a 1200% pay rise on the previous season! Although he couldn't quite match that the following season, he proved it wasn't a fluke by winning the German Open and retaining the International Open title. By the 1997/8 season, he was firmly established as one of the world's top players and in a position to challenge Stephen Hendry for his No.1 spot. Higgins won two of the overseas events - The European and German Opens, and his career earnings passed the Ł1m barrier at the 1998 Regal Welsh. But as the season drew to a close it seemed too much to hope that he could topple Stephen Hendry at the top of the rankings. He gave himself a boost by winning the British Open, but the odds seemed to be against him. As the mathematics worked out, Higgins knew he would have to rely on Jimmy White defeating Stephen Hendry in the first round of the Embassy World Championship, and go on to take the title himself to reach the top spot. As the drama unfolded, White's unbelievable performance against Hendry set the event alight, and Higgins suddenly had it all to play for. It appeared that Higgins drew inspiration from the unique atmosphere, as he became the first player at the Crucible to register three successive century breaks (102, 143 and 139) during his quarter-final against John Parrott - part of a record tournament tally of 15. He went on to his first world final, overcoming an obstinate champion in Ken Doherty, to lift not only the world crown, but to assume the mantle of Stephen Hendry as world No.1. After his triumph, Higgins paid a warm tribute to Hendry who had taught him so much in practice matches and inspired Scottish snooker. His 1998/99 season had a few ups and downs. He defeated Matthew Stevens to take the UK title, and overcame Ken Doherty's resistance to win the B&H Masters. But the big challenge came at Sheffield. Like every first-time champion before him, Higgins failed to retain the title. Despite having demolished his opponents in the opening rounds, he could not hold off the challenge of a determined Mark Williams in the semi-finals. The Riley Premier League title added Ł50,000 to his season's earnings, which were higher than any other player at Ł560,669. In 1999/2000, Higgins suffered from some inconsistency. A titanic effort saw him make a comeback from 6-2 down to beat Mark Williams 9-8 at the Grand Prix. His other ranking event win also went to the wire, when he defeated Stephen Lee in a classic final at the Regal Welsh. But some of his results in between were disappointing. He compiled his first tournament 147 during the Nations Cup and repeated the feat in the B&H Irish Masters, which he won, beating Stephen Hendry in a quality final. Disappointment came in the semi-final of the Embassy World Championship when he surrendered a 15-11 lead over Mark Williams, having already lost his top ranking to the Welshman. John's career has been carefully nurtured by his father, John Senior, who accompanies him around the circuit whenever possible. When not out on the tour, Higgins loves little more than a trip to Parkhead to watch Celtic perform. But a game of football could have cost him dear in the summer of 2000: when playing in goal in a five-a-side friendly, Higgins broke his right wrist. Higgins courted controversy when he withdrew from the Grand Prix to attend his brother's wedding. But the year 2000 ended on a high note as he re-gained the UK Championship title in early December, and married long-time girlfriend Denise just before Christmas. At the turn of the year, Higgins joined Scotland for victory in the Nations Cup and also reached the semi-finals of the Thailand Masters. He reached his second world final by beating Matthew Stevens 17-15 in a pulsating semi-final, before losing out to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final. The 2001/02 campaign got off to a dream start for the Wishaw man when he became the first player to win the first three titles of a season, clinching the Champions Cup, Regal Masters and British Open. And his delight was capped with the arrival of his first child when wife Denise gave birth to baby Pierce on Sunday, September 30.