John Virgo’s legacy as one of the most recognisable voices in snooker will live forever following his death at 79
John Virgo was candid about the personal struggles he faced prior to his passing at 79.
The BBC commentator and snooker legend died just weeks after his last TV appearance, where he provided commentary for the Masters. The Englishman was one of the most familiar voices in snooker on the BBC. Over his extensive career, he became renowned for his unforgettable catchphrases.
These included, “Is there a gap? There’s always a gap!” and, “Where’s the cue ball going?”, with fans often seen at the Crucible sporting T-shirts bearing these iconic phrases. The much-loved figure was also a skilled player, clinching the UK Championship in 1979.
In the 1979/80 season, Virgo reached a world ranking of number 10 and continued to compete professionally until 1994, when he retired from the sport. In 2023, he was bestowed with the honour of being inducted into the World Snooker Tour Hall of Fame.
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Born in Salford in March 1946, Virgo gained wider recognition through his appearances on the snooker-themed BBC One game show Big Break. He starred alongside host Jim Davidson as the show’s resident expert and trick shot maestro – though some attempts were more successful than others.
He also became famous for his vibrant waistcoats as the programme built up a loyal following throughout its 11-year run on our screens. Though Virgo was known for his genial nature, he was candid about his battles with gambling addiction and personal demons.
Speaking to The Mirror in 2017, he opened up about the hardships he endured during the 1980s. He disclosed that as his prize money dwindled, he descended into serious gambling. On one occasion, he squandered £10,000 on the horses in just a fortnight and, over a six-year period in the late 1980s, secured loans totalling more than £200,000 against his home.
At the time, he explained: “I was doing commentary for the BBC and had exhibition work, but if you’re not winning, you are not earning as much. And when you’re seen as a successful sportsman, people assume you’re earning a good living.
“There was pressure on me to have the newest car, a more expensive holiday. It was all about keeping up appearances. When the results weren’t coming on the snooker table, I tried to supplement things by gambling on horses even more. I went through a period when I was addicted to gambling.”
In recent years, numerous reports suggested that Virgo, alongside fellow veteran commentator and 1985 world champion Dennis Taylor, could be replaced by the BBC in favour of younger voices. Nevertheless, the pair remained incredibly beloved by supporters and were accompanied in the commentary booth at the Sheffield event by fellow pundits, including 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy and seven-time victor Stephen Hendry.
In 2020, Virgo and his wife, Rosie, moved from Britain to Spain. The couple chose the Costa del Sol, believing the warmer weather might provide relief for John’s persistent neck problem.
He attended the funeral service of former Villamartin resident Willie Thorne in Orihuela in 2020 and kept up a lifelong bond with Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins. He also wrote a book chronicling their friendship and his encounters with the volatile two-time world champion.
Looking ahead to his own career last year, Virgo remarked: “I would like to think I’ve got a few years left in me yet, but you never know. They did tell us it was going to be our last year, and there was an unbelievable response on social media to say that would be a bad thing, and they changed their mind.
“I love doing it. I love the game. We have our little snooker golf society, with Stephen Hendry, Dennis Taylor, Ken Doherty, John Parrott and Steve Davis. I’d miss that dearly. And I’d miss the snooker. I’d miss the commentary. It’s 17 days that I’ve been doing since 1977. So it would be sad. It will come one day. But hopefully it’s a few years away yet.”
The heartbreaking news of Virgo’s passing was confirmed by World Seniors Snooker chairman Jason Francis on social media platform X. “Heartbreaking to share the news that we’ve lost the great ‘JV’ John Virgo this morning, he passed away in Spain,” he penned.
“Rosie and Brooke-Leah would like everyone to know. Our hearts go out to them both, Gary and the grandchildren. JV was doing what he loved to do right up until the end, entertaining everyone. “Such an important person in my life but in our sport in general.
“An amazingly loyal friend to me, and someone you felt was sat with you at the match when he was commentating on TV. Hard to take this one…one great person who touched so many lives and loved the game. We will never forget you bud. RIP JV.”