John Virgo’s cause of death confirmed as widow admits she ‘can’t imagine life’ without him
Snooker legend John Virgo’s widow Rosie and other professionals have paid tribute to the iconic Big Break host and BBC commentator
Snooker legend John Virgo has died suddenly aged 79
The unexpected death snooker icon John Virgo aged 79 has rocked the sporting community today. His heartbroken widow has given an exclusive interview to our sister title the Mirror regarding his devastating passing, spearheading the tributes to the individual known as ‘Mr Perfection’.
Reaching the semi-finals of the 1979 World Championship, John defeated Terry Griffiths 14-13 to claim the UK Championship that same year – despite turning up late for the final session and having two frames deducted as a penalty. A charismatic figure, he became a television stalwart co-presenting the 1990s game show Big Break alongside Jim Davidson, complete with his memorable phrase: “Where’s the cue ball going?” He was also an accomplished commentator, providing snooker coverage for the BBC.
Speaking mere hours after his passing from their shared residence in Mijas Costa, Spain, his widow, Rosie Ries, told The Mirror: “We were just days shy of our 16 year wedding anniversary. I can’t imagine life without John, he was the love of my life and my best friend.”
John Virgo and widow Rosie
Virgo has died of a ruptured aorta, a source close to the family told the Mirror. Wed since 2009, the pair had maintained a friendship for decades before romance blossomed. John’s closest friend James Malyon, who was present with Rosie, said: “I’m all over the place, it’s obviously a bit of a shock, it came out of the blue – just five hours ago. James encountered John, who had two children from his second marriage, Gary and Brook-Leah, whilst playing golf.
“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.
Relatives and friends of John, who relocated from Surrey to Spain in 2020, are organising several celebrations of his life, beginning next week. James added: “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. The service for relatives and friends will take place in Mijas Costa, approximately 20 minutes from Malaga, with a memorial also planned in the UK. 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.”
John, who was married three times, led as colourful a life as his signature waistcoats. Raised in post-war Salford, he developed his father’s passion for horse racing and spent his youth hustling in neighbourhood snooker clubs. After turning professional in 1976, he retired in 1994 and was subsequently inducted into the World Snooker Tour hall of fame.He achieved even greater fame – and wealth – through the snooker-based game show Big Break, which aired from 1991 to 2002.
The success led him to launch his own range of waistcoats and opened doors to pantomime appearances, book deals – and even his own trick shot app. Fellow snooker legend and World Champion Ken Doherty, who provided commentary alongside John for the BBC, expressed his grief upon learning of the death: “I’m so sad, I’m in shock, absolutely devastated. He was great company,” Doherty said.
“His death is such a loss. He touched so many people’s lives. Working together we became really close. He was like a godfather to me. I was only with him in Spain before Christmas. We went out for dinner a couple of times and played golf. “”John was a wonderful storyteller.
“We both loved Manchester United – he was born in Salford, of course, right by the ground. Between him and Dennis [Taylor] they took me under their wing and I learned so much from sitting beside him. He had a knack of dramatising the game, he’d have me in stitches. It didn’t get any better than that in the commentary box.
“‘It’s theatre,’ he’d say. And he was right. I spoke to his wife Rosie this morning, who was obviously in shock. He was so full of life. He told me just last week he was looking forward to working together in Wales, for the Welsh Open. And now we have to do it without him. He’ll be so very missed. A great, great man.”
John Virgo has passed away at the age of 79(Image: TV Times via Getty Images)
In his 2017 autobiography, Say Goodnight JV, he discussed openly the serious gambling addiction that almost ruined his life and career, after he borrowed £200,000 to finance it and had his home repossessed. Prior to his death, John had been participating in a series of sold-out performances on the Black Ball 40th Anniversary Tour.
It was a repeat of Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor’s 1985 World Snooker Final – which drew 18.5 million viewers – with commentary by John. Dennis Taylor said: “We just did three shows together – Steve, John and I – last week. I just can’t believe he’s gone. I’ve known John for over 50 years. When I moved to Blackburn I was 17 and John was 19 and in Salford, not many miles away.
“We grew up together in the snooker world. When he won the UK Championship in 1979 the BBC was on strike and never got to show it. How unlucky was that? Touring with John in the last year, we’ve had an absolute ball. We did three shows just last week.
“John did amazing impersonations, he knew how to make people laugh. He knew how to do me – he just had to get the biggest pair of glasses he could find and stick them on. People will remember John for being one of the game’s great characters. His sense of humour was brilliant.
“It’s a sad old day for the game. And I’ve lost a dear friend of 50 years. Snooker champion Steve Davis choked back tears, as he added: “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.
He continued: “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 [Sheffield] Crucible will shed more than a few tears this April.”
