Snooker world turns out to remember John Virgo

April 16, 2026 No Comments

Snooker world turns out to remember John Virgo50 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on Google

Steve JonesYorkshire

Snooker fans and stars of the sport turned out to remember John Virgo

PA Media A man wearing a shirt with a snooker table and balls printed on stood outside Sheffield Cathedral. — Snooker fans and stars of the sport turned out to remember John Virgo

Stars of the green baize turned out in snooker’s home city for a memorial service to former player and commentator John Virgo.

Virgo, who died aged 79 in February, reached the World Snooker Championship semi-finals at the city’s Crucible in 1979 and was a professional for 18 years before picking up the microphone for the BBC in 1994.

Ahead of the start of this year’s competition on Saturday, the service in Virgo’s memory took place earlier at Sheffield Cathedral, a short walk from the Crucible.

Former world champion turned pundit Ken Doherty mentioned Virgo was a “wonderful character” whose voice was “synonymous with snooker”.

Legendary snooker commentator John Virgo died in February aged 79

PA Media A pamphlet advertising the memorial service for John Virgo is held up by a pair of hands. — Legendary snooker commentator John Virgo died in February aged 79

Doherty was among those in attendance at Thursday’s memorial along with seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Dennis Taylor, John Parrot and Virgo’s widow, Rosie Ries.

A host of players taking part in this year’s tournament also attended the event, including Shaun Murphy, John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen and Mark Williams.

Outside the cathedral, snooker fan Jim Fitzpatrick wore a shirt emblazoned with a snooker table design and Virgo’s name.

He mentioned he’d remember the personality as “funny” and someone who “didn’t take sport too seriously”.

To many, Salford-born Virgo was the voice of snooker and, despite a career which took him to a world ranking of 10, he was perhaps best known for his post-playing career.

Virgo presented popular snooker TV show Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002 as well as his commentary work.

Current and ex-players, including Dennis Taylor and Cliff Thorburn, pictured here, turned out to remember John Virgo

PA Media Dennis Taylor and Cliff Thorburn, two men with grey hair both wearing sunglasses, smiling for a photo outside Sheffield Cathedral. — Current and ex-players, including Dennis Taylor and Cliff Thorburn, pictured here, turned out to remember John Virgo

Virgo’s final BBC commentary came in January, 17 days before his death, for the 2026 Masters final.

Remembering his friend and former colleague, Doherty mentioned: “The way he could draw a listener in, tell a story and build the drama, that’s an art in itself.

“It was just wonderful to share so many times in the commentary box with him and have so many laughs with him as well.”

Ken Doherty remembers John Virgo in Sheffield