STEPHEN HENDRY is dreading the prospect of commentating for the BBC at the Crucible this year without John Virgo by his side.
And he admits he will miss his old pal’s funeral this month as he is flying back from China following an extended work trip.
Virgo – known as JV – died at his home near Malaga, Spain, last Tuesday at the age of 79.
He is survived by his second wife Rosie and their two children and various grandchildren.
Virgo – winner of the 1979 UK Championship during a long snooker career – was an outstanding broadcaster and commentator over many decades.
It will be odd for viewers and colleagues not to have him in Sheffield for snooker’s annual 17-day flagship tournament, which will be between April 18 and May 4.
His hushed tones made him a very popular man for the big snooker matches and his catchphrase “Where’s the cue ball going?” was something the fans loved to hear.
Virgo was even working for the BBC up until last month when he called the big breaks made by Masters champion Kyren Wilson at Ally Pally.
Hendry, a seven-time world champion, will be a key and prominent part of the Beeb’s commentary in South Yorkshire this spring but he says it is going to be a strange existence without his old mate.
The former Crucible King has been in Hong Kong for work commitments and the timing does not work out for him to give Virgo a proper send-off alongside colleagues and friends.
The Scotsman, 57, said: “It’s utterly devastating.
“Ken (Doherty) phoned me the other day and I am in China.
“Unfortunately, I’ll be traveling home the day of his funeral. I’m devastated about that as well.
“At the moment, I’m not even looking forward to the World Championship because I know he’s not going to be there.
“It’s going to be horrible. A huge, huge gap he’s going to leave in snooker.”
Virgo was the first person in the sport to move from snooker competitions to showbiz, something he did with great success given his ability to spin a good yarn.
Many fans will remember watching Virgo, who donned colourful waistcoats, co-host the popular BBC Big Break show between 1991 and 2002 alongside comedian Jim Davidson.
Hendry added: “No one could sort of translate the excitement of a match into the commentary box as well as John.
“You know, he could make dull matches seem exciting because he had that enthusiasm.
“He just loved the game and he could sort of make you almost enjoy a match that you weren’t enjoying.
“He was my favourite to be in the box with.
“As I’m sure that’s the same for a lot of commentators and his knowledge of the game.
“You know, a lot of the young players sort of criticise old school commentators, saying that they don’t have a clue what’s going on.
“But he knew the game as well as being an unbelievable character.”
