John Virgo’s widow, Rosie, has paid an emotional tribute to ‘the love of my life’ following the snooker legend’s death aged 79.
Virgo, who became a household name from presenting the popular 1990s tv show Big Break before moving into a snooker commentary role for the BBC, died at his home in Spain on Wednesday morning.
The news of Virgo’s death came as a surprise as he was commentating on the Masters final for the BBC just 17 days ago.
‘We were just days shy of our 16-year wedding anniversary,’ Rosie told The Mirror.
‘I can’t imagine life without John, he was the love of my life and my best friend.’
Virgo’s close friend, James Malyon, confirmed to the newspaper that the 79-year-old’s cause of death was ‘a ruptured aorta – completely out of the blue’.
Malyon added: ‘I’m all over the place, it’s obviously a bit of a shock, it came out of the blue – just five hours ago.
‘I knew of John before he moved to Spain, of course. We’ve been good friends, I’ve loved playing golf with him and socialising with him and Rosie. He was a great man, a great character, the life and soul of the party.
‘In Spain, the only time things seem to move quickly is when it comes to funerals. I’ve asked them to give us a bit of time. So we’re looking at the end of next week.
‘I’m at his wife’s house now, she’s a little bit in shock, but she’s okay. She has a lot of support. It’s nice to see how much he meant to so many people. He had such a long and good life.’
Virgo is survived by his wife Rosie and his children Gary and Brooke-Leah.
Seven-time world champion and Virgo’s commentary partner on the BBC, Stephen Hendry, posted his tribute on social media: ‘Was only a couple of weeks ago I was with JV in the commentary box at the Masters, he was the greatest to work with.
Nobody recreated the excitement of a match like him. “Where’s the cue ball going?”
‘Very sad news, absolutely gutted. Commentating won’t be the same. RIP JV. Thinking about you Rosie.’
Six-time world champion Steve Davis, who also worked alongside Virgo with the BBC, said: ‘We’re all a bit upset. He had such a warm heart. One personal memory was when I lost to Dennis Taylor in the final of 1985 – it was one of the most exciting moments in the game’s history.
‘When I went back to the dressing room, I was in floods of tears. And the one person who knocked on the door and came in was John. Not that he wanted me to win or lose, but he knew what it meant. He was moved by what had happened.
‘It’s a sad, sad day for snooker. One of our most loved friends has passed and our hearts are broken. Our thoughts are with his family.
‘It’s become a day to reflect on how much this warm hearted and funny maverick meant to us all. And he was a brilliant commentator. The Crucible will shed more than a few tears this April.’
Hazel Irvine, who presents the BBC’s snooker coverage, 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.’
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