Snooker icon John Virgo has died aged 79, with tributes pouring in from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and the broader sporting world.
Snooker nice John Virgo lifeless aged 79
Snooker legend John Virgo’s reason for dying has been disclosed following the announcement of his tragic passing earlier at this time. Virgo died unexpectedly aged 79 on Monday, with tributes flooding in from throughout the snooker neighborhood and past. A outstanding determine within the sport through the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties, Virgo’s pinnacle achievement got here along with his 1979 UK Championship triumph. He additionally reached the World Championship semi-finals that very same yr.
Nonetheless, he turned a well-recognized face in households nationwide through the Nineties by co-presenting Massive Break alongside comic Jim Davidson. Generally known as the voice of snooker, Virgo loved a distinguished commentary profession with the BBC, his iconic phrase ‘the place’s the cue ball going?’ changing into synonymous along with his broadcasting fashion. He handed away from a ruptured aorta, in line with a household supply who spoke to the Mirror.
Virgo resided in Spain with spouse Rosie, who paid tribute inside hours of his dying. She advised the Mirror: “We have been simply days shy of our 16 yr marriage ceremony anniversary. I can not think about life with out John, he was the love of my life and my finest good friend.”
Virgo’s closest good friend James Malyon mentioned: “I am in every single place, it is clearly a little bit of a shock, it got here out of the blue – simply 5 hours in the past. James, met John who had two youngsters from his second marriage, Gary and Brook-Leah, taking part in golf.
“I knew of John earlier than he moved to Spain, after all. We have been good buddies, I’ve cherished taking part in golf with him and socialising with him and Rosie. He was an ideal man, an ideal character – the life and soul of the celebration.”
Seven-time world snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who had beforehand described Virgo as a ‘mate for all times’, wrote on X: “Completed my match to get the information that JV has handed away.
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John Virgo pictured along with his spouse Rosie (Picture: Hannah Brit)
“Like to Rosie, Brooke and Gary. Such an ideal mate who I cherished spending time with, completely gutted.”
Fellow seven-time Crucible king and Virgo’s fellow BBC commentator Stephen Hendry additionally penned an emotional tribute. He wrote: “Was solely a few weeks in the past I used to be with JV within the commentary field on the Masters, he was the best to work with.
“No one recreated the joy of a match like him. The place’s the cueball going. Very unhappy information, completely gutted.”
Massive Break colleague Davidson additionally paid tribute to his nice good friend, writing: “Heartbroken to listen to that my nice mate John Virgo has handed away at 79. What a personality, what a expertise.
“From our time collectively on Massive Break, to the snooker commentary chair, you introduced a lot pleasure to so many. Relaxation straightforward, John. You may be missed.”
In 2020, Virgo and his spouse Rosie relocated to Spain. The pair moved to the Costa del Sol and hoped that the milder local weather would assist alleviate Virgo’s discomfort from a persistent neck damage.
Virgo is survived by his son, Gary, and daughter Brook-Leah. His youngsters have been from two earlier marriages.
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