The cause of death of snooker great John Virgo has been revealed after he passed away at the age of 79.
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 dubbed the ‘voice of snooker’.
The Salford-born star was an established part of the BBC’s snooker coverage as a commentator, famous for his catchphrase of ‘Where’s the cue ball going?’.
Virgo was also well known for his role on the 1990s snooker television game show Big Break and was a regular on the exhibition circuit with his vast array of trick shots.
Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Snooker, announced the ‘heartbreaking’ news of Virgo’s death in Spain in a post on the Snooker Legends account on X.
Following the news, a source close to his family told The Mirror that he died of a ruptured aorta.
Snooker legend John Virgo won the UK Championship in 1979. He is pictured in 1994
John Virgo with his wife Rosie at DJ Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart’s funeral in Bournemouth in 2016
John Virgo playing in the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield in 1990
Virgo spent 18 years as a professional and reached the World Championship semi-finals in 1979, when he also won the UK Championship.
He retired in 1994 and was later inducted into the World Snooker Tour hall of fame for his success on the baize and his work as a broadcaster.
The news of his death led to tributes from those he left an indelible mark on.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan said: ‘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.’
Between 1991 and 2002, Virgo presented the BBC’s snooker programme ‘Big Break’ alongside comedian and actor Jim Davidson.
Davidson posted on Instagram: ‘Heartbroken to hear that my great mate John Virgo has passed away at 79. What a character, what a talent.
‘From our time together on Big Break, to the snooker commentary chair, you brought so much joy to so many. Rest easy, John. You will be missed.’
Big Break was a popular 1990s game show hosted by Jim Davidson and John Virgo on the BBC
Former player and broadcaster John Virgo pictured in 2007
Reanne Evans, 12-times women’s world champion, said on X: ‘Oh JV. You will be missed. Thinking of Rosie and your family at this sad time. This is a tough one to take. You will always be the best ever to me. God bless you. What a guy.’
Former heavyweight world champion Frank Bruno wrote on X: ‘RIP John Virgo we met loads of times great sense of humour he tried teaching me some trick shots and really was laughing when the balls kept leaving the table. One thing about him everyone said he was a really nice man sad loss.’
And world number nine Mark Allen tweeted: ‘Truly awful news. Thoughts with all Johns family and friends. One of the nicest men you could ever wish to meet.’
Virgo was born in Salford in 1946 and died in Spain, where he had lived in recent years. He is survived by his wife Rosie and children Gary and Brook-Leah.
