Snooker legends gathered at Sheffield Cathedral for a memorial service honouring John Virgo, affectionately described as “part of snooker’s furniture and history”.
The service paid tribute to the former player and beloved commentator, who passed away in February at the age of 79.
Virgo, who won the 1979 UK Championship and reached the World Championship semi-finals that same year, became even more widely recognised for his extensive broadcasting career.
Six-time world champion Steve Davis was among those in attendance, alongside fellow greats Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, John Parrott, Dennis Taylor, and Ken Doherty. Virgo’s widow, Rosie Ries, was also present. Current stars John Higgins, Mark Williams, Shaun Murphy, and Neil Robertson, all set to compete in the upcoming World Championship, also joined to celebrate Virgo’s legacy.
Speaking to the Press Association, Steve Davis said: “We’re going to miss him dearly. A great commentator but a good friend to us all, he made you feel very special.
“We all thought we were friends with John because he had a great heart and he was funny, sometimes cantankerous but we loved him for that. All in all, he was part of snooker’s furniture, he was part of snooker’s history and a wonderful commentator. He got the best out of every match.”
Virgo’s broadcasting prowess included co-presenting the popular BBC show Big Break with comedian Jim Davidson. Airing between 1991 and 2002, the programme introduced snooker to a younger, primetime Saturday night audience.
As a celebrated BBC commentator, his iconic catchphrase ‘where’s the cue ball going?’ became synonymous with his broadcasts, though his genuine passion for the sport truly resonated with viewers.
Davis recalled Virgo’s own view on the significance of Big Break: “John said that was his biggest moment in his career, not winning the 79 UK Championship but getting the phone call to go on Big Break.
“I think it helped another generation to appreciate snooker and he used that as a springboard to (a) wonderful commentary (career). As Stephen Hendry said in the memorial service, when you looked at the rota and saw you were commentating with John, you were delighted because you knew it was going to be a fun day and a good day.”
Reflecting on a personal memory, Davis recounted Virgo’s compassion after his famous 1985 ‘black ball final’ defeat to Dennis Taylor at the World Championship.
Davis added: “I was crying my eyes out in the dressing room and the one person who knocked on the door to commiserate with me was John Virgo. He had a big heart.”
