John Virgo has been a well-known voice on the BBC’s snooker protection, however the former participant endured a playing habit that noticed him lose his dwelling.
Commentator John Virgo is an iconic determine on the BBC. (Picture: Getty Photographs)
Recognised as the enduring voice of snooker, John Virgo has been a cornerstone of the BBC’s protection for greater than three a long time. The previous skilled has returned to the commentary field for this yr’s Masters at Alexandra Palace, treating viewers to skilled perception alongside his trademark quips and memorable phrases, together with the celebrated ‘the place’s the cue ball going?’
But his ongoing involvement comes only some years after it appeared he is likely to be stepping away from commentary completely. The 79-year-old had indicated that each he and snooker icon Dennis Taylor can be making their closing commentary appearances on the shut of the 2022/23 season. However, the pair had been retained by the BBC “for the foreseeable future”, delighting supporters throughout the nation.
Talking on the Snookered podcast, Virgo revealed: “I spoke to one of many producers and I mentioned ‘properly you already know it’s going to be my final yr’. And he mentioned ‘no no no, we’re not going to try this now. We will keep as we’re for the foreseeable future’, which was incredible.”
All through his aggressive profession, the Salford native secured 4 skilled titles, together with the 1979 UK Championship, the 1980 Bombay Worldwide and the 1984 Skilled Snooker League.
The programme, led by comic Jim Davidson with Virgo performing as referee, paired contestants with skilled gamers to deal with numerous snooker-based challenges for rewards.
The present was a roaring success, working for 11 years and drawing practically 14 million viewers at its peak. This opened up additional alternatives for Virgo, resulting in guide offers, quite a few pantomime appearances, and even the launch of his personal waistcoat line.
Nevertheless, this triumph adopted a interval the place Virgo grappled with a playing habit that he admits nearly destroyed his life. As his winnings from competitions dwindled, he started to gamble closely, dropping £10,000 on horse racing inside a fortnight on the peak of his habit.
Over a span of six years within the Nineteen Eighties, he borrowed over £200,000 towards his mortgage to gasoline his habit and “sustain the pretence that [he] was profitable”. This finally led to the repossession of his three-bedroom Surrey dwelling, with Virgo surrendering the keys to the mortgage lender.
John Virgo throughout an exhibition match in 2015. (Picture: Getty Photographs)
“It was a vicious circle,” Virgo informed the Mirror. “I used to be doing commentary for the BBC and had exhibition work however should you’re not successful you aren’t incomes as a lot. And if you’re seen as a profitable sportsman, individuals assume you are incomes a great residing.
“There was stress on me to have the latest automobile, a costlier vacation. It was all about maintaining appearances. When the outcomes weren’t approaching the snooker desk, I attempted to complement issues by playing on horses much more. I went by way of a interval once I was hooked on playing.
“It was a compulsion that I struggled to familiarize yourself with. By 1990, it was in peril of ruining my life. I used to be borrowing towards the mortgage simply to maintain up the pretence that I used to be profitable. Wanting again, I see it was loopy. I feel a number of gamers could have had points with playing.
“You might be introduced up in that surroundings – hustling within the snooker golf equipment to earn just a few quid and, if there was nobody to play, you’d go within the bookies.”
Explaining how he ultimately conquered his playing behavior, he mentioned: “I ended once I realised I used to be residing past my means. I not often wager lately. I did again the Grand Nationwide winner although.”
Virgo’s battle with habit unfolded alongside two failed marriages, from which he has a son, Gary, and a daughter, Brook-Leah.
Nevertheless, he found love once more with publishing government Rosie Ries, a pal of a pal he had identified for 20 years, and the couple wed in 2009. “A mate tried to set us up years in the past however then his girlfriend mentioned she would not be fascinated about me,” Virgo revealed.
“I used to be so fearful of a knock-back, I did not ask her for out for 22 years.
Event schedules, scores, gamers updates and majors information plus chosen affords and competitions Subscribe Invalid e mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This will likely embody adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You’ll be able to unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
“By then I would lived by myself for 5 years and I wanted that point to re-centre myself. However ultimately we went on a date. I used my wit, attraction and repartee on her and, blow me down, two months later we received engaged.”
Describing his third wedding ceremony day because the “finest day of my life,” he added: “It has been completely fantastic.”
Leave a Reply