Salford-born snooker legend and broadcaster John Virgo has died at the age of 79.
Tributes have been paid to the sporting great, who left an indelible mark on the Salford circuit and on leading players now competing on the professional tour.
During an 18-year professional career, Virgo won the UK Championship and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship in 1979.
Away from the professional game, he regularly played for money at Potters Snooker Club in Broughton and practised in snooker halls across the city.
Former England and Wales international Reg Davies runs North West Snooker Academy in Salford. He was involved in a campaign where Virgo played an exhibition match which raised £18,000 to buy a hospital an ultrasound scanner for pregnant women.
He said Virgo was a “typical Salford lad who will go down into the archives of Snooker history.”
“He was always looking for a laugh and he was clever with the cue and clever with his mouth.
“I went around Manchester with one of the nurses, going to different clubs, rattling a money box around to raise money for the cause.
“John played an exhibition match at Plymouth Grove Snooker Centre, which raised a lot of money.
“He was always looking for a laugh and he was clever with the cue and clever with his mouth. He is a snooker legend.”
While Virgo was an exceptional player, he is perhaps best known for his time after putting down the cue.
He presented snooker TV programme Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002 before becoming a BBC commentator in 1994.
His last commentary for the BBC came 17 days ago when Kyren Wilson beat John Higgins in the Masters final.
Davies added, “When I look back, he will always be remembered for ‘where’s the cue ball going?”’
Virgo’s famous catchphrase when a player was close to committing a foul became part of snooker folklore and will live on as one of the most instantly recognisable lines in sports broadcasting.
In 2021, Dave Spencer, the nephew of three-time world champion John Spencer, recalled Virgo playing against a raft of big-name players and local punters at Salford’s humble Potters Snooker club.
He said: “They were real good days. For these top players, it was always for the money, even in Potters. It was a late-night snooker den where all the players used to come for a late-night Friday gamble.
“I remember the players all used to gamble, John for example would only take the yellow, he would let the opponent take every other colour. It was his way of making money, because he would always win.”
While Virgo was an exceptional player, he is perhaps best known for his time after putting down the cue.
He presented snooker TV programme Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002 before becoming a BBC commentator in 1994.
His last commentary for the BBC came 17 days ago when Kyren Wilson beat John Higgins in the Masters final.
The news of his death led to heartfelt tributes from some of the sport’s great players.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan wrote: “Finished my match to get the news that JV has passed away. Love to Rosie, Brooke and Gary. Such a great mate who I loved spending time with, absolutely gutted.”
Four-time world champion Mark Selby posted on X: “So, so sad to hear the news of the passing of John Virgo. Such a great guy and a huge character. He will be greatly missed. RIP JV”
Neil Robertson, who won the 2010 World Championship, said: “So sad to hear about the news of John Virgo’s passing. He was a great character and an amazing pundit/commentator.
“I had the pleasure of sharing the booth with him during the world championships a couple of years ago in which I got a huge appreciation for how good he was.”
