John Virgo

stufisher

Whilst I wasn't his greatest fan I do recognise his part in snooker's rise in mass popularity through the 80s and 90s to its highly regarded status now. 

I'm sure he'll be recognised widely, by many,  for his contribution ... the cue ball has finally gone! 

RIP.

boogieman

A big part of that era when snooker made a return to popularity. I used to like his impressions of other players. RIP 

NickBotfield

Ah fuck, that's so sad.  I really liked his commentary, especially when him and Stephen Hendry were both in a grumpy mood.  

oh_pollo

"Hello...where's the cue ball going?"

Col_Decker

Oh man. He was the voice of snooker for me. 

strumjoughlamps

Col_Decker said:

Oh man. He was the voice of snooker for me. 

Agreed

I liked his humour on Big Break. Very sad.

thecolourbox

Weirdly I had the theme tune to Big Break stuck in my head over the weekend and kept singing it much to the annoyance of my wife who had no idea what I was on about (she thought i'd got Snooker Loopy stuck again). Hope it's not another incidence of my cover challenge curse.

It's only a game, so put up a real good fight - we're gonna be snookering you, snookering you tonight BIG BREAK

Rest in Peace Mr Virgo

EricTheWeary

It has become a feature of my dotage that I enjoy watching snooker on TV more than I ever did. So John's playing career passed me by but he is the voice of snooker to me. For some reason they seem to struggle to find commentators who can offer the right balance of technical knowledge, humour and that kind of calm voice but John was absolutely spot on (only spoiled by MrsTheWeary walking through the room and saying "and that's a bad miss..."). 
I'm sure he will be greatly missed by all those who watch snooker. RIP. 

Switch625

Sad news. Think he had some health issues for a while? Gonna have to go on youtube and watch some Big Break now. 

flying_pie

Sad news. I always remembered him having a lovely disposition as a player. And an absolutely excellent commentator and presenter.

axisus

Sad news indeed. He was of the era when I was REALLY into snooker, and was a great entertainer, full of character. many of that generation slipped into retirement, but he was one of those that has always stayed around the game. I really liked him as a commentator, such a familiar voice. 

I've always liked this pic from when he was UK Championship winner 1979



RIP John

Philly_Q

Col_Decker said:

Oh man. He was the voice of snooker for me. 

I must be older than you, I still think of Ted Lowe, Jack Karnehm and, er, "recently" Clive Everton.  I guess John Virgo was the longest-serving of the current crop of commentators, though.

I've lost interest in snooker a bit nowadays, but sad to see another of those famous names from the '80s gone.

RIP

Open_G

There’s something very reassuring about a quiet evening with the snooker on. JV was a big part of that. 

WHERE’s the cue ball going???  

Kilgore

That's sad to hear. It was always a bonus to hear that Virgo would be commentating on a match. 

matt_sefton

Very sad. I used to watch hours and hours of snooker back in the 80’s and go to the local miner’s welfare hall to play on the full size tables.

swiller

Loved his impressions of players in 80s while he was still competing and didnt take it all too seriously, unlike other players who lets face it can be duller than a damp dishcloth.
RIP, total ledge and you got the impression he would have been a great addition to a sesh down the pub.

Funkfingers

thecolourbox said:

Weirdly, I had the theme tune to Big Break stuck in my head over the weekend 

In similar vein, my brain has been treating me to The Walker Brothers' version of The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore on repeat. This merely confirms my theory that Scott Walker was God not Clapton.

Thread hijack over. (Not any more. Baby.)

Offset

Very sad - but I'm struggling to believe he was 79.  I must be getting old too.

Philly_Q

I'd heard about his famous snooker impressions before I ever saw them, I was a bit disappointed that he did the mannerisms but not the voices.

thecolourbox said:

Weirdly I had the theme tune to Big Break stuck in my head over the weekend 

It's one of those theme tunes that's never very far from my mind, like Magnum P.I., The A Team and Indiana Jones.

Redlester

I still retain a fondness for the dulcet tones of Ted Lowe, but in my opinion the current crop of ex-players turned commentators really are the best sports commentators bar none. But JV really was a cut above for me. 

I really will miss him- great character, lovely manner and I learned so much more about this wonderful game by listening to him. 

RIP. 

guitars4you

Offset said:

Very sad - but I'm struggling to believe he was 79.  I must be getting old too.

That was my thought and I know we are similar age