TOM Seale’s comments regarding snooker player Alex Higgins (HAS, July 29) are utterly worthless bar the first nine words of his opening sentence.

His statement that the press resorted to flattery after Higgins’ death shows either Mr Seale’s ineptitude to fathom an unbiased view or a blinkered assessment by himself of the life of this unique talent.

The press did mention Higgins’ numerous brushes with authority and his weaknesses, but taken into context of what he gave to his thousands of fans, it was a price worth paying as the ticket office for any personal appearance showed.

To say that Higgins was an undesirable is a contradiction in terms for a man described as “the people’s champion”.

Not only was Higgins a champion, any snooker player worth his salt would acknowledge the debt the game owes to a man who brought millions of viewers and participants to a sport that was frowned upon as an indulgence of sloth and idleness.

Higgins’ funeral takes place in Belfast on Monday and will undoubtedly be covered by the media. Mr Seale should take time to heed the countless numbers that attend. He can the judge whether Higgins was “undesirable” or not.

He may then reflect on his opening nine words and “not speak ill of the dead”.

Kev McStravick, Darlington.