Former UK Champion and snooker legend John Virgo passes away

News broke online about Virgo's death this morning in Spain - where he was living - and was subsequently confirmed by the World Snooker Tour.

Only a few weeks ago, Virgo was commentating for BBC Sport on its eight-day live coverage of the Masters at the Alexandra Palace in London, including during the final that was won by Kyren Wilson.

Not only the snooker community, but wider sporting and showbusiness circles are in mourning over Virgo's unexpected death.

'JV' was a behemoth on and around the green baize for decades.

Born in Salford on March 4, 1946, Virgo won the British under-16 snooker championship in 1962, and the English under-18 snooker championship in 1964.

He turned professional in 1976, and three years later claimed one of the sport's major titles, the UK Championship at the Guild Hall in Preston.

Virgo defeated then reigning world champion Terry Griffiths 14-13 in the final, despite having been docked two frames for arriving late to the final session after getting the start time wrong.

A few weeks later, Virgo won an invitational event in India, and in 1980 he was crowned Pontins Professional Champion after denying six-time world champion Ray Reardon in the final.

His last top-flight title came at the 1984 Professional Snooker League where he finished top of an 11-player group that included players such as Alex Higgins, John Spencer, and Jimmy White.

Virgo was an elite top 16 ranked player for several seasons, reaching a career-high of number 10.

At the sport's blue riband event, the World Championship, Virgo took part in the very first staging held at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 1977. He qualified for the main venue stages there 14 times in total, reaching the semi-finals in 1979.

Despite his brilliant achievements as a player, many will remember him best as a presenter and trickshot extraordinaire on the hit BBC Saturday night primetime gameshow Big Break, and his commentary and broadcasting work with the station on snooker coverage over several decades.

With a true, lifelong passion for the sport, Virgo was keen for it to move forwards, and was Chairman of the governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association in the 1980s.

In 2023, Virgo was recognised for his feats and inducted into the World Snooker Tour Hall of Fame.

Tributes for the beloved Virgo have been pouring in on social media, including from several of the sport’s current top players.

Four-time world champion Mark Selby wrote: “So so sad to hear the news of the passing of John Virgo!!! Such a great guy and a huge character!! He Will be greatly missed! RIP JV.”

Career Triple Crown winner Neil Robertson posted: “So sad to hear about the news of John Virgo’s passing. He was a great character and an amazing pundit/commentator. I had the pleasure of sharing the booth with him during the world championships a couple of years ago in which I got a huge appreciation for how good he was. We’ve lost some great people of our game just recently which is incredibly sad.”

Former world number one Mark Allen - who would have been preparing for his opening round match at the ongoing World Grand Prix in Hong Kong - put: “Truly awful news. Thoughts with all Johns family and friends. One of the nicest men you could ever wish to meet.”

Jason Ferguson, who the current WPBSA Chairman wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that sad new has reached us this morning, about the passing of this wonderful man, enormous character, and snooker legend, John Virgo. He will be sadly missed by us all.

“Our thoughts are with Rosy, John’s family and close friends at this very difficult time. RIP JV.”

Everyone here at Totally Snookered would like to pass on our condolences to all of John’s family and friends at this devastating time.

John was a true legend, an icon of our sport. He will be sorely missed, but never, ever forgotten.