John Higgins

John Higgins: Pulled out of the Grand Prix to be a best man

Date of birth: 18/05/75
World ranking: 2
Career earnings: £2,354,192

Multiple world champion Stephen Hendry was not the only Scot to dominate snooker during the 1990s.

Lanarkshire's John Higgins never looked back after turning professional in 1992 and is in great form going into the Liverpool Victoria UK Championship.

The 25-year-old has won a total of 13 ranking events including the 1998 World Championship which saw him elevated to number one in the world.

Higgins also managed to rattle in a record 14 century breaks on his way to lifting the Crucible crown.

Higgins is called "The Kid" on the snooker circuit - a nickname which has derived from his boyish looks - and he was deeply disappointed last season when Mark Williams stole his World number one crown.

Higgins, who is an ardent Celtic supporter, was forced to pull out of the British Grand Prix 2000 at the quarter final stage so he could be best man at his brother Jason's wedding.

"It's a really hard one because I'm playing so well but there's no contest between this and my brother's wedding," said Higgins, who was the defending Grand Prix champion.