Snooker legend Virgo dies aged 79

Snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo has died aged 79.

Virgo enjoyed an 18-year professional career, winning the UK Championship and reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship in 1979.

He is perhaps best known for his post-playing career, presenting popular snooker TV show Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002.

Following his retirement from playing in 1994, Virgo became a BBC commentator.

His last commentary for the BBC came 17 days ago when Kyren Wilson beat John Higgins in the Masters final.

Virgo was a popular commentator, with his famous "where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase when a player was close to committing a foul.

Players and officials held a minute's silence at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan said: "Finished my match to get the news that JV has passed away.

"Such a great mate who I loved spending time with. Absolutely gutted."

Four-time world champion Mark Selby said: "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."

Six-time world champion Steve Davis, who is part of BBC Sport's snooker coverage, said "one of our most loved friends has passed and our hearts are broken".

He added: "Our thoughts are with his family and it's become a day to reflect on how much this warm-hearted and funny maverick meant to us all.

"He was a brilliant commentator. Snooker fans couldn't help but be swept up in his enthusiasm in the moment. The Crucible will shed more than a few tears this April."

Former world champion Shaun Murphy, who also worked alongside Virgo for the BBC, said: "I first met John in 1994, filming Junior Big Break. He then went on to become a friend and colleague.

"I learned so much from him whilst sharing a commentary box. The voice of snooker will be sadly missed."

BBC Sport presenter Hazel Irvine said Virgo "was hugely loved and is completely irreplaceable".

She added: "This is just such an immeasurable loss for snooker. It's a very tight-knit sport but it's an even tighter broadcasting community and it's a real shock because John was in such great form and voice just a couple of weeks ago at the Masters.

"He was a great champion himself and I think his experiences as a player really informed his commentaries."

Davidson, Virgo's co-presenter on Big Break, said he was "heartbroken" that his "great mate" Virgo had passed away.

"What a character, what a talent," said Davidson. "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."

Virgo regularly took part in exhibition matches, playing trick shots and performing impressions of other players.

Former world champion Neil Robertson said: "He was a great character and an amazing pundit and commentator.

"I had the pleasure of sharing the booth with him during the World Championship a couple of years ago in which I got a huge appreciation for how good he was."

Ali Carter, who made one of his four maximums at the World Championship in 2008, also paid tribute to Virgo as he recalled he "commentated on my 147 when they were quite a rare bird".

"His knowledge was second to none," said Carter. "He knew the game inside out. He loved the game. He was part of the royal family of the snooker family."

A World Snooker statement read: "Everyone at World Snooker Tour is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary snooker player and broadcaster John Virgo."

Former world number three Neal Foulds said: "Terribly sad news that we have lost one of the greats of snooker in John Virgo.

"JV was incredibly generous, kind and funny. He was also a wonderful player and commentator. Thanks for all the great memories JV."

Virgo, who was born in Salford in 1946, is survived by wife Rosie and children Gary and Brooke-Leah.

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 had a really good act and he did impersonations of Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths, Cliff Thorburn - and they all loved it.

It was unusual for someone to do that at the end of an exhibition, but he was absolutely brilliant at it.

I'm sure when we give him a tribute at the Crucible [for the World Championship in April] they will show his impressions routine, which is just hilarious.

He was a brilliant character.