Snooker legend John Virgo handed away aged 79 and his funeral passed off in Spain on Valentine’s Day
Tributes have continued to circulate for John Virgo following his funeral service, after the snooker icon died aged 79. The legendary determine, who spent 18 years as knowledgeable participant earlier than transitioning into BBC commentary, tragically handed away on February 4.
His profession highlights included capturing the UK Championship in 1979 with victory over Terry Griffiths and advancing to the World Championship semi-finals throughout the identical yr. Extra notable successes comprise the 1980 Bombay Worldwide, 1980 Pontins Skilled and the 1984 Skilled Snooker League.
His funeral passed off in Spain on Saturday, with quite a few mates and fellow snooker professionals in attendance. Shaun Murphy was amongst these current and shared a tribute to Virgo on Instagram. Publishing a picture of his memorial card on a Spanish seaside, he posted: “Goodnight JV”.
1997 world champion Ken Doherty and MC Rob Walker have organised the occasion, which is able to happen earlier than the second Champions’ Dinner that night. “That is an open invitation for anybody who needs to pay respects to a fantastic man, to return and be a part of the snooker group at Sheffield Cathedral at 1pm on Thursday April 16 for a celebration of John Virgo’s life.”
Within the wake of the tragic information of his demise, heartfelt tributes to Virgo flooded in from throughout the snooker world. Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Snooker, confirmed Virgo’s passing in a submit on the Snooker Legends account on X.
“JV was doing what he liked to do proper up till the tip, entertaining everybody,” he said. “Such an essential particular person in my life however in our sport on the whole.
“An amazingly loyal pal to me, and somebody you felt was sat with you on the match when he was commentating on TV. Laborious to take this one… one nice one who touched so many lives and liked the sport. We’ll always remember you bud. RIP JV.”
FILE PHOTO: FORMER SNOOKER PLAYER AND TELEVISION COMMENTATOR JOHN VIRGO DIES AGED 79 – British snooker participant John Virgo in motion throughout the 1987 Embassy World Snooker Championship on the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, 18th April 1987. He was knocked out within the first spherical. (Picture by Trevor Jones/Getty Pictures) (Picture: Getty Pictures)
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Mark Selby posted on X: “So unhappy to listen to the information of the passing of John Virgo! ! ! Such a fantastic man and an enormous character! ! He Shall be tremendously missed! RIP JV.”
“He was a fantastic character and a tremendous pundit and commentator,” added Neil Robertson. “I had the pleasure of sharing the sales space with him throughout the World Championship a few years in the past during which I received an enormous appreciation for the way good he was. We have misplaced some nice individuals of our recreation only recently which is extremely unhappy.”
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