John Virgo, a beloved figure in the world of snooker, has left us far too soon. Born in Salford in 1946, he grew up with a passion for football but discovered his true calling on the green baize of a local snooker club at just 12 years old. Despite initial setbacks and setbacks, including being banned from the club by his father due to concerns about its reputation, Virgo went on to become one of the sport's most respected players.
He was nicknamed "Mr Perfection" for his incredible skill and consistency behind the table but never quite managed to win the World Championship title. However, he did have a remarkable run in 1979, reaching the semi-finals before ultimately falling short. Virgo also had a notable victory at the UK Championship that same year, winning the title against Terry Griffiths in a thrilling 14-13 final.
But Virgo's true legacy lies not just in his impressive playing career but in his enduring impact on the sport as a whole. As a commentator for the BBC, he brought his trademark wit and worldliness to the commentary box, providing insightful analysis and a warm, approachable demeanor that made him a favorite among fans.
One of Virgo's most memorable moments came during the 2016 World Championship when, in a rare display of profanity, he swore on air while watching a less-than-exhilarating match. The moment, which was initially met with shock and amusement, has since become a beloved anecdote among snooker enthusiasts.
Throughout his life, Virgo remained a larger-than-life figure, known for his sense of humor, his boundless enthusiasm for the sport, and his willingness to poke fun at himself. He befriended boxing legend Frank Bruno, musician Rick Wakeman, and even comforted Steve Davis after his infamous defeat to Dennis Taylor in 1985.
As news of Virgo's passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from all corners of the snooker world. His friends, family, and fellow players will no doubt miss him dearly, but his legacy will live on through the countless fans he touched with his warmth, wit, and love for the game.
John Virgo may be gone, but his "Where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase and infectious enthusiasm will continue to echo through the halls of snooker history. Rest in peace, Mr Perfection – you will be deeply missed.
He was nicknamed "Mr Perfection" for his incredible skill and consistency behind the table but never quite managed to win the World Championship title. However, he did have a remarkable run in 1979, reaching the semi-finals before ultimately falling short. Virgo also had a notable victory at the UK Championship that same year, winning the title against Terry Griffiths in a thrilling 14-13 final.
But Virgo's true legacy lies not just in his impressive playing career but in his enduring impact on the sport as a whole. As a commentator for the BBC, he brought his trademark wit and worldliness to the commentary box, providing insightful analysis and a warm, approachable demeanor that made him a favorite among fans.
One of Virgo's most memorable moments came during the 2016 World Championship when, in a rare display of profanity, he swore on air while watching a less-than-exhilarating match. The moment, which was initially met with shock and amusement, has since become a beloved anecdote among snooker enthusiasts.
Throughout his life, Virgo remained a larger-than-life figure, known for his sense of humor, his boundless enthusiasm for the sport, and his willingness to poke fun at himself. He befriended boxing legend Frank Bruno, musician Rick Wakeman, and even comforted Steve Davis after his infamous defeat to Dennis Taylor in 1985.
As news of Virgo's passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from all corners of the snooker world. His friends, family, and fellow players will no doubt miss him dearly, but his legacy will live on through the countless fans he touched with his warmth, wit, and love for the game.
John Virgo may be gone, but his "Where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase and infectious enthusiasm will continue to echo through the halls of snooker history. Rest in peace, Mr Perfection – you will be deeply missed.
john virgos passing is a huge loss 4 the snooker fam he was more than jus a player he was a commentator wit da perfect blend of wit & knowledge 2 
& who can 4get that epic 2016 world champ match where he went off air 
? anyway his legacy will live on thru the countless fans hes touched w/ his warmth & love 4 da game 
& lets not 4get all da famous mates hes had over da years like frank Bruno & rick wakeman 
so many fond memories of him but now hes gone 2 soon 
his dedication to snooker is inspiring and that nickname "Mr Perfection" is so fitting 
his commentary skills were top-notch too he made the game more enjoyable for us fans 
what I love most about john virgo is how humble he remained despite being a huge star in the sport he was down-to-earth and funny, always willing to poke fun at himself 
rest in peace john virgo you will be deeply missed by all us fans 
just heard about John Virgo's passing... what a legend! I mean, 12 yrs old he started playing snooker? That's dedication 
He may not have won the World Championship title, but his impact on the sport is still felt today 
His commentary skills were top-notch and made watching snooker so much fun 
Rest in peace, John Virgo... you left an indelible mark on the world of snooker 
. remember when he swore on air during that 2016 World Championship match 
? still gives me a chuckle to this day. basically what I love about Virgo is his sense of humor and humility, always poking fun at himself and keeping things light 
. even though we'll miss him, his legacy will live on through all the fans he won over 
at least Virgo brought some humor to it. but let's be real, his legacy is more about how he made the sport "cool" than his actual playing skills... still, i'll give him props for being a larger-than-life figure and having a sense of humor that can put even the most awkward situations into perspective 
just saw this news about John Virgo... 
that's what made him wanna play even more! 
anyway, here's some stats on his career: 23 ranking titles, 2 UK Championships, and a reputation as one of the greatest players of all time 
according to a study by the Sports Media Research Center, sports commentators like Virgo can increase fan engagement by up to 32% 
. His energy and passion for the game were infectious, and he always seemed to bring out the best in his opponents (or at least try to 
). I loved how witty and self-deprecating he was as a commentator - it made even the most mundane matches entertaining 
. He may not have won the World Championship, but he definitely won hearts 
. Rest in peace, Mr Perfection 
his commentary skills were insane lol I remember that 2016 world championship match where he went balls out 
can't help but think of all the amazing stories & moments he shared with us through commentary 
rest in peace mr perfection, you will be deeply missed 
. His energy and humor always made the game exciting to watch, even when the matches were boring 
. I loved how humble he remained despite his nickname "Mr Perfection" - it's refreshing to see someone who never forgot where they came from. He may not have won a World Championship, but his impact on snooker as a commentator and ambassador is still felt today 
i mean, he was a commentator, not just some random player, his commentary skills were top-notch 
Oh man, I'm still trying to process this news... John Virgo was more than just a player, he was a legend 
! His passion for the game was infectious and his commentary skills were top-notch