John Virgo, the Salford sage, has left his mark on snooker. Born in March 1946, just after World War Two, Virgo grew up with a passion for football, often playing with friends on bomb-hit wasteground. However, it was on the green baize where he would first make his mark.
Virgo's life took an unexpected turn at the age of 12 when he stepped into a snooker club, seeking out some footballing friends. The mother of one of those boys directed him to the club off Trafford Road, and once there, Virgo's eyes lit up. Despite his father's swift ban from the club due to its notorious reputation, Virgo soon became the British Under-16 champion.
As he grew older, Virgo became a super snooker player by the standards of his day, but also an inveterate gambler whose habit almost destroyed him. He was known for his wit and mastery of trick shots, which made him a perfect foil to Jim Davidson on the popular BBC One quiz show Big Break.
On the BBC's commentary box, Virgo brought old-school charm, expertise, and worldliness to snooker coverage. His voice came with a sing-song tempo, rising and falling in his familiar brogue. He had the experience of being at the table, knowing what adrenaline was like when matches were on edge or victory was coming into sight.
Virgo's impact on snooker extended beyond his playing career. Big Break not only dug him out of financial trouble but also made him a star to an even wider audience. His dry wit and commentary skills remained integral parts of the BBC's coverage, making him a beloved figure in the sport.
Tributes poured in from far and wide, including snooker circles and celebrities like Frank Bruno and Rick Wakeman. The Salford sage has left his stage, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished for years to come. John Virgo may have been 'Mr Perfection' on the green, but his true perfection lay in the hearts of fans worldwide.
Virgo's life took an unexpected turn at the age of 12 when he stepped into a snooker club, seeking out some footballing friends. The mother of one of those boys directed him to the club off Trafford Road, and once there, Virgo's eyes lit up. Despite his father's swift ban from the club due to its notorious reputation, Virgo soon became the British Under-16 champion.
As he grew older, Virgo became a super snooker player by the standards of his day, but also an inveterate gambler whose habit almost destroyed him. He was known for his wit and mastery of trick shots, which made him a perfect foil to Jim Davidson on the popular BBC One quiz show Big Break.
On the BBC's commentary box, Virgo brought old-school charm, expertise, and worldliness to snooker coverage. His voice came with a sing-song tempo, rising and falling in his familiar brogue. He had the experience of being at the table, knowing what adrenaline was like when matches were on edge or victory was coming into sight.
Virgo's impact on snooker extended beyond his playing career. Big Break not only dug him out of financial trouble but also made him a star to an even wider audience. His dry wit and commentary skills remained integral parts of the BBC's coverage, making him a beloved figure in the sport.
Tributes poured in from far and wide, including snooker circles and celebrities like Frank Bruno and Rick Wakeman. The Salford sage has left his stage, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished for years to come. John Virgo may have been 'Mr Perfection' on the green, but his true perfection lay in the hearts of fans worldwide.
He's been an icon in snooker for ages, but I never knew so much about him 
I mean, who wouldn't want to watch someone with that voice on commentary? It's like music to my ears 
And it's amazing how his life took such a different turn at 12, from football to snooker - talk about finding your passion! 
Anyway, what a tribute to an all-time great 
He'll be sadly missed but his legacy will live on 
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anyway, it's crazy to think about how his life took unexpected turns but he made the most of it 
. snooker's not exactly cutting-edge tech or anything 
. i mean don't get me wrong, the dude was a genius at his game but it's just an old sport 
. what's next? tribute to the guy who invented cornflakes? 
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but let's not forget about other sports he was involved with... like football 
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just saying
i love how he went from playing footy on bomb-hit wasteground to becoming a snooker legend & even saving his own bacon with big break 
his commentary skills were 10/10 tho, who else could make snooker sound as cool as it did? 
also cant believe jim davidson had him on the show lol what a combo! 
. Those guys were always entertaining!
He went from bein into football to bein a pro snooker player & even became the British Under-16 champ 
! And can we talk about his commentary skills? 
with his trick shots & wit! 
He's leavin us too soon, but we'll always remember him as the Salford sage 
. We're gonna miss him, but his legacy will live on through all the amazing memories we have of watching him commentate 
His commentary skills were insane, like you can almost hear him saying "oh, nice shot" in your head. Big Break was more than just a show for me, it was entertainment, but also a way to appreciate snooker in a different light. The BBC did well by giving him a platform, helped turn him into a star. What's next? 
and saw these gorgeous wildflowers blooming everywhere. They were so vibrant and colorful! Reminded me of John Virgo's snooker career, all that skill and precision on the table was like a beautiful bouquet of flowers in motion 
. i loved how big break helped him out of financial trouble and made him a star 
. what's sad is that he's gone, but his legacy will live on in our hearts 
john virgo was like a legend on the big break show and now he's gone his commentary style was so iconic 
just heard about john virgo passin away... was a legend on the snooker scene 
always remembered him from big break 
... and I love that his legacy lives on in our hearts 
Did John Virgo have any kids? The BBC has a really cool commentary box, doesn't it? 
I want to watch some of his snooker games, but like, how do you even play the game? 
Snooker's loss is our collective boredom - I mean, who needs all that drama and slow-paced action? The BBC should've stuck with the original commentary team, it was already good 
. And what's up with these ' tributes' everyone's spewing out on social media... can't they just let the man rest in peace? 
Virgo may have been a legend to some, but his commentary skills are so overrated