BBC and snooker legend John Virgo died on the age of 79 as tributes proceed to pour in for the enduring determine.
John Virgo’s household introduced his loss of life. (Picture: Getty)
The snooker world is in mourning following the loss of life of legendary participant and broadcaster John Virgo at age 79. His passing leaves an enormous void within the sport he championed for over 50years as each a top-tier skilled and a beloved commentator.
It has been confirmed that the enduring “Voice of Snooker” died from a ruptured aorta. The medical emergency occurred unexpectedly at his house in Spain, the place he had been dwelling for a number of years, resulting in his sudden and tragic passing earlier this week.
Throughout his last hours, Virgo reportedly awoke at 2.30am in important ache earlier than being rushed to the hospital. Regardless of the perfect efforts of medical workers, the severity of the aortic concern was too nice, and he handed away shortly after arrival along with his household close by.
Virgo selected to go away the UK in 2020 to maneuver to the Costa del Sol. He sought the hotter Mediterranean local weather primarily to assist handle the power ache ensuing from a long-term neck damage that had plagued him all through his later years in England.
His spouse, Rosie Ries, described him because the “love of my life” in a tear-jerking tribute following his loss of life. She expressed complete shock on the loss, noting they had been simply days away from celebrating their sixteenth marriage ceremony anniversary.
His best skilled triumph was profitable the UK Championship in 1979. He famously overcame a two-frame penalty for arriving late to defeat Terry Griffiths within the last, although the match was by no means televised because of a BBC technicians’ strike on the time.
For over 30 years, Virgo was the premier BBC commentator, well-known for his catchphrase, “The place’s the cue ball going?” His energetic model and skilled evaluation made him a family identify, and he remained lively within the sales space till simply weeks earlier than his loss of life.
Past the desk, he gained huge fame co-hosting the hit present Huge Break alongside Jim Davidson. This system mixed snooker trick photographs with a sport present format, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers and making Virgo one of the crucial recognisable faces in British leisure.
Fellow legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry expressed their shock at the information. O’Sullivan praised him as a “mate for all times,” whereas Hendry famous that no one else may recreate the joy of a snooker match fairly like Virgo did.
Fittingly, Virgo’s last moments on air passed off throughout the 2026 Masters last in January. He labored within the commentary field simply seventeen days earlier than his passing, guaranteeing he spent his final skilled days concerned within the sport he actually liked.
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