R.I.P John Virgo.

[gavroche]

He was commentating only a few weeks ago. Coming up to 80.

 

[markemark]

Great shame. To many, me included, he was the voice of a quiet Saturday afternoon in front of the tv. Great commentator and a nice slot on Big Break.

 

[Animo]

Yeah, sad news.

Big Break was standard Saturday night viewing in my house as a kid.

Always enjoyed him on commentary too - he didn’t mince his words, a bit like Bob Willis on the cricket. My favourite combination on comms back in the day was Virgo and Willie Thorne.

 

[markemark]

Where's the cue ball going?

 

[wakemalcolm]

Always seemed like a lovely guy on TV and curiously ageless. 79's not a bad break for someone who's probably not been exposed to the healthiest of environments for much of his life.

 

[Dan Lotus]

Very sad to see this earlier, like a lot of people, I grew up watching him play, and then latterly commentate for years and years and years.
I know a lot of people didn't like his commentary, but I did - but then most of the commentary crew, at least on the BBC, were excellent imho.
He'll definitely be missed - was commentating just last month :-(

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Very surprised when I heard that this morning. As Dan says above, he was only commentating last month on the Masters and he sounded ok. It must have been something that took hold quickly.

 

[Dan Lotus]

I suppose looking on the plus side, presumably if it was something quick, he didn't have a long time suffering.
I noticed he has been living in Spain for several years now as well.

 

[Dave7]

Just heard that.
He seemed a genuinely nice guy and imo was funny when presenting.
Same age as me .

 

[Dave7]

@gavroche.
There is a thread on this above.
Didn't know he was commentating so recently.

 

[Shortfall]

I feel genuinely sad about this. I saw him play an exhibition at my local club in The 80s and he did his famous impressions of the other pros. Have enjoyed listening to his commentary for the last 40 odd years and he's a familiar voice who comes across as a nice bloke who would be happy to sit down and have a few pints with you in the pub. The pros seem to have a lot of affection for him too, even if he said "Where's the cue ball going?" a little too often. RIP

 

[AndyRM]

Not many commentators get to be considered the "voice" of a sport. Sad news indeed.

 

[T4tomo]

defo a recognisable voice of snooker, must have been sudden as he was commentating on the masters a coulple of weeks ago. Always nice to hear his voice, although he had a good knack of saying "hes going for shot x" whilst the player executes shot y and then "oooh I didnt think that was on.." always entertaining

 

[Beebo]

Still working 17 days ago according to the BBC Obituary.
The final quote in the video is very poignant, one of the last things he ever said on mic, “he can now relax, the job’s done”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/c0q4kkpedw4o

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Mod note.

Both John Virgo threads merged.