John Virgo RIP
Snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo has died aged 79.
Virgo enjoyed an 18-year professional career, winning the 1979 UK Championship among four non-ranking titles, and reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship in 1979.
He is perhaps best known for his post-playing career, presenting snooker TV programme Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002.
Following his retirement from playing in 1994, Virgo became a BBC commentator.
His last commentary for the BBC came 17 days ago when Kyren Wilson beat John Higgins in the Masters final.
He was a popular commentator, with his famous "where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase when a player was close to committing a foul.
A World Snooker statement read: "Everyone at World Snooker Tour is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary snooker player and broadcaster John Virgo.
"Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, JV."
Comments
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RIP. Loved Big Break.3
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Very sad RIP - ‘where’s the cue ball going’ will live long in the memory9
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Always remember him and Jim Davidson being introduced to the crowd at Old Trafford when we played one of our midweek Premier League fixtures against United, many years ago.
It was fair to say they were both enjoying the corporate hospitality that evening 👍3 -
Iconic commentator. RIP to a legend.0
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RIP0
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"Where's the cueball going"
RIP JV0 -
RIP - remember watching him in an exhibition once when he did some player impressions.
His Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor were hilarious4 -
damn rip snooker commentary won't be the same without him. 0 -
Snookers light hearted face. Very sad to hear. RIP0
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Wow - that's a bit of a shock...only commentating a couple of weeks ago. Didn't realise he was 79! RIP.0
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Legend RIP0
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Definitely a shock. Bought so much to the world of snooker - great character.
RIP0 -
Came over as a nice bloke RIP JV.0
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Elthamaddick said:RIP - remember watching him in an exhibition once when he did some player impressions.
His Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor were hilarious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA2FDYNulg8 10 -
RIP JV0
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That's sad to hear. RIP John0
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RIP a snooker great.1
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One of those voices who feels like he's always been there.
Goodnight JV.1 -
RIP John, bit of a shock this one .0
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RIP. Snooker won't be the same without JV0
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Sponsored links:
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RIP. Loved watching big break back in the day.0
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RIP big man.0
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Rest in peace JV0
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RIP0
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'There's always a gap'
RIP John1 -
Watching snooker from now on will just not be the same
He was commentating as usual a few days ago on the Masters final
His death has come as a shock to me
An amusing and talented man, R I P John0 -
I was never a fan of his commentary but this is very unexpected for me. Only listened to him shouting about where the cue ball was going a couple of weeks back in the masters.
RIP0 -
RIP. Big Break was a part of my childhood.0
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His voice, and Big Break, are big memories of my childhood
Goodnight JV0
