BBC snooker legend John Virgo has died at the age of 79, with tributes pouring in from across the world of sport and television
John Virgo has sadly passed away at the age of 79. The death of the legendary BBC snooker commentator prompted an outpouring of tributes from the worlds of sport and television.
The Salford-born star is known as ‘The Voice of Snooker’ and he had a successful career as a professional player. Virgo won four titles, including the 1979 UK Championship, the 1980 Bombay International and the 1984 Professional Snooker League.
After an 18-year playing career, he swapped his cue for a microphone and became a beloved fixture of the BBC’s snooker coverage. Virgo’s passing was confirmed on Wednesday morning, leading to a raft of tributes from the world of snooker.
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Aside from his star power at the table and in the commentary box, Virgo also found fame as a co-host of the popular snooker-based TV show Big Break during the 1990s. The programme aired for more than a decade and featured an unusual presenting partnership between Virgo and comedian Jim Davidson.
Davidson was the main host while Virgo appeared as a referee. Contestants paired up with professional players to take part in various snooker-based challenges to win prizes.
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The show became enormously popular, with viewing figures reaching nearly 14 million at its peak. Although Virgo had doubts about the programme’s potential success when initially approached, he was delighted to be proved wrong.
Speaking to the Daily Express last year, he said: “All of a sudden, I get this phone call, ‘Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with this comedian, Jim Davidson.’
“I’d met him once a few years previously, but I didn’t really know him. It was funny because we got there and he didn’t know much about snooker.
“In all honesty, after doing the first couple of shows, I was thinking, ‘I don’t see how this works’. Anyway, we did eight [episodes]. We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time.
“Then I got another phone call and they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18! ,” he continued. “We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14million viewers. It was remarkable.”
The programme also marked the beginning of an unexpected friendship between Virgo and Davidson. The snooker icon said: “It’s a funny thing about life. He’s your crafty Conservative comedian and I’m your dour northern socialist. How do you come up with that? But obviously the chemistry worked.
“Although Jim didn’t know much about snooker, what a funny man and a very generous man to work with. We really got on well. Besides, when you’re in those positions, the most important thing is that the show works.”
Their friendship continued beyond the show’s final episode in 2002, with the duo collaborating on pantomime productions for eight years.
Davidson paid his own tribute to Virgo after his death was confirmed on Wednesday morning. Posting on Instagram, Davidson said: “Heartbroken to hear that my great mate John Virgo has passed away at 79,” Davidson wrote next to a photo of the pair. “What a character, what a talent.
“From our time together on Big Break, to the snooker commentary chair, you brought so much joy to so many. Rest easy, John. You will be missed.”
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