Dennis Taylor Pays Tribute to John Virgo Ahead of Emotional Memorial Service
Family and friends of the late snooker legend John Virgo will gather today at Sheffield Cathedral for a poignant memorial service. The event, expected to draw 600 attendees, is organised by snooker greats Ken Doherty and Rob Walker, and will honour Virgo, who died suddenly from a ruptured aorta on February 4 at age 79.
For Dennis Taylor, Virgo's friend of 50 years and fellow commentator, the occasion is bittersweet. Taylor, 77, winner of the 1985 World Snooker Championship, will soon cover the World Snooker Championships at the Sheffield Crucible, starting Saturday, without his longtime colleague. "Everyone is going to miss his commentary when the snooker starts this weekend. I know I will," Taylor told The Mirror. "All his catchphrases like 'where's the cue ball going?' will be missing. It is not going to be the same."
A Friendship Forged in Snooker and Commentary
Taylor, returning for his 26th year on BBC commentary duty, recalls Virgo as a consummate showman and entertainer. "What a showman, what a commentator and what an entertainer he was. He had it all," he said. Their bond was strengthened in the commentary box, where they shared iconic moments, such as watching Ronnie O'Sullivan's 147 maximum break in five minutes and eight seconds in 1997. "That was one of the greatest moments in the history of snooker," Taylor reminisced.
Virgo, who lived in Mijas Costa, Spain, with his wife Rosie Ries, co-hosted the BBC1 gameshow Big Break with Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002. Taylor fondly remembers Virgo's impersonations and playful jabs. "John loved to poke fun at me on Big Break. I was easy to do, as John used to get a big oversized pair of glasses and squint at the cue and turn it upside down and chalk the butt end," he said. Despite Virgo's 1979 UK Championship win, he often cited the Big Break opportunity as his proudest achievement.
The Sudden Loss and Unfulfilled Milestones
Virgo's death came as a shock to Taylor and the snooker community, as he had not been ill. Just days before, Virgo had accompanied Taylor and Steve Davis on a UK tour commemorating Taylor's 1985 victory. "We were with John just days before he died. He flew back to Spain on the Friday and I think we got the news the following Wednesday. It was less than a week," Taylor revealed. He received a text from Rosie Ries with the tragic news, sensing something was wrong before even reading it.
Virgo had been looking forward to turning 80 on March 4, with plans to celebrate in Madrid. "John was so looking forward to turning 80. I know Rosie and him were going to go to Madrid for four days," Taylor said. He had considered gifting Virgo a new snooker cue, but noted that neck issues had prevented Virgo from performing trick shots in recent years.
Legacy and the Future of Snooker Commentary
Taylor believes Virgo's passing highlights a need for more flamboyant commentators in snooker. "Some of the newer ones have got to learn now. It is a bit dull, the game. You have got to make that excitement for the people at home," he asserted. He emphasised that catchphrases and entertainment, honed over years at holiday camps, are crucial for engaging audiences.
Today's memorial will be followed by a champions' dinner, where a toast will be raised to Virgo. Taylor reflected on their unique dynamic: "John and I made snooker entertaining, I guess. It is not easy to do and it takes many years learning what works. John was a bit like me - the first time I went into the commentary box I always felt as if I was sitting in somebody's lounge, chatting to them about what was happening."
Beyond commentary, Taylor will miss their rounds of golf, recalling fun times with Willie Thorne. "We won't have the challenge match this year, as John won't be there, bless him. The fun we had on a few days off from Sheffield was unbelievable," he said.
In closing, Taylor paid tribute to their enduring friendship: "We were working class guys, making a living knocking around little round balls with a piece of wood. We became two of the best entertainers in the game... He will be sadly missed by the whole snooker fraternity and in the commentary box. I miss him dearly. Goodnight JV."
