John Virgo’s wife Rosie Ries was devastated after the sudden death of the snooker commentator.
Snooker legend John Virgo’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the sport and his widow, Rosie Ries, has led tributes to the man dubbed ‘Mr Perfection’.
Former professional snooker player John, known as the voice of snooker, died at the age of 79. His name became synonymous with the sport after he took up broadcasting following his retirement in 1994 as the BBC’s lead snooker commentator.
Speaking to our sister title the Mirror, Rosie said she was heartbroken following his death. She said: “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’s best friend James Malyon, who was with Rosie, 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. James, met John who had two children from his second marriage, Gary and Brook-Leah, 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.”
He died of a ruptured aorta, a source close to the family told the Mirror.
In 1979, John’s professional snooker career reached its peak when he contested the semi-finals of the world championships and recorded a dramatic final frame win against world champion Terry Griffiths in the UK Championship final – despite arriving late for the last session and being docked two frames.
A larger than life character, he became a TV favourite co-hosting 1990s gameshow Big Break with Jim Davidson where he coined his famous catchphrase: “Where’s the cue ball going?”
Friends and family of John, who moved from Surrey to Spain in 2020, are planning several celebrations of his life, starting 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 friends and family will be in Mijas Costa, about 20 minutes from Malaga, and there will be a memorial in the UK.
James said: “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, a World Snooker Tour hall of fame inductee, was as colourful in life as his trademark waistcoats. Growing up in post-war Salford, he inherited his father’s love of horse racing and spent his teenage years hustling in local snooker clubs.
Fellow snooker legend and world champion Ken Doherty, who commentated alongside John for the BBC, said on hearing of his death: “I’m so sad, I’m in shock, absolutely devastated. He was great company. 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.”
In his 2017 autobiography, Say Goodnight JV, he spoke candidly about the severe gambling addiction that nearly destroyed his life and career, after he borrowed £200,000 to fund it and had his home repossessed. Just before his death, John had been involved in a number of sell-out shows on the Black Ball 40th Anniversary Tour.
It was a rematch of Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor’s 1985 World Snooker Final – which attracted 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.”
Dennis says he and John “pioneered humour in snooker commentary,” adding: “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.
“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.”
John’s friend Michael Hall McPherson saw John last week. He said: “The news is just devastating. I had dinner with John on Thursday, and dropped him off at Birmingham airport. He was in such good spirits.”
Sharing one of the last photographs taken of John, he added: “I met John 10 years ago as a sports promoter on the way up.
“He was a decent man, a union man from the North West, who would do anything for others. There was no facade to him. He was totally John Virgo all the time, with bundles of humility. He was also a wonderful husband, caring and kind. I’ll treasure our memories together. Life goes quickly’, he told me last Thursday. Those words are so poignant now.”
Speaking from Hong Kong, snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, said: “Finished my match to get the news. Love to Rosie, Brooke and Gary, Such a great mate who I loved spending time with, absolutely gutted.”
Snooker great Jimmy White posted on social media: “Goodnight JV,” with a broken heart emoji. And Jim Davidson said: “Heartbroken to hear that my great mate John Virgo has passed away at 79. What a character, what a talent.”
Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Governing Body of Snooker (WPBSA) remembers John as a superb player and entertainer. He said: “I have known John personally for as long as I can remember. He portrayed our sport in another world. Who can forget him on Big Break? It’s one of my greatest memories of him – hosting that show, doing trick shots.
“I started my life as a young snooker player and I remember him putting on his fake hair and big glasses and entertaining everyone. He was funny back then, and he was funny until he died. The last time I saw him was at the Masters not long ago and I spent a lot of time with him at the UK Championships in York. It’s a very sad day for snooker. A great man. He’ll be missed by all that knew him.”
Snooker MC and commentator Rob Walker spent time with John, who commented on the Masters Live for the BBC 17 days before his death, just two weeks ago. He said: ”He was still at the very peak of his powers. I’m really shocked. It’s the end of an era, that’s for sure.”
