John Virgo remembered as ‘great mate’ who ‘transcended the sport’ of snooker

John Virgo has been remembered as a “great mate” who “transcended the sport” of snooker following his death aged 79.

Virgo’s death was announced on Wednesday by the World Snooker Tour, and tributes poured in for one of the sport’s greats.

Virgo, who won the UK Championship in 1979, enjoyed a long and storied career but was perhaps best known for his work as a broadcaster.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, who is playing in the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, found out the news after his win over Joe O’Connor and said on X: “Finished my match to get the news that JV has passed away. Love to Rosie, Brooke and Gary.

“Such a great mate who I loved spending time with, absolutely gutted.”

He was an established part of the BBC’s snooker coverage as a commentator, famous for his catchphrase of ‘Where’s the cue ball going?’.

Former world champion John Parrott worked alongside Virgo in the BBC commentary box and said he “transcended the sport” and “loved a joke”.

He told BBC Sport: “John was a tremendous competitor and a very good break-builder, brilliant among the pink and black. He knew the game inside and out and backwards.

“Then he transcended the sport and went into the commentary box. He did ‘Big Break’ with Jim Davidson, so he became a household name to everybody.

“It was that voice which was very different to everyone else and made him stand out. You could have a right laugh with him – he loved a joke. He was a brilliant character.”

Stephen Fry, who became a friend to Virgo, said he will “leave such a gap in the world”.

“Like all great masters of the art of commentary, JV seemed to do nothing more than talk naturally and authoritatively,” Fry told the Press Association.

“But actually his skill was phenomenal. He had the gift of knowing