Snooker legend John Virgo has revealed how a gambling addiction nearly destroyed his life, as he reflects on his colourful career in a new autobiography. The 71-year-old, who won the UK Snooker Championship in 1979, admits that his betting habit spiralled out of control in the late 1980s, leading him to borrow more than £200,000 against his mortgage.
Virgo, known for his flamboyant waistcoats and commentary work, says the pressure to maintain a successful image drove him to gamble heavily on horses. 'It was a vicious circle,' he explains. 'When the results weren't coming on the snooker table, I tried to supplement things by gambling on horses even more. I went through a period when I was addicted to gambling.'
The former UK champion, who once lost £10,000 on horses in a fortnight, says he stopped betting when he realised he was living beyond his means. He rarely gambles now, though he did back the Grand National winner. His friend and fellow snooker star Willie Thorne, who died in 2020, struggled with a more severe addiction, once wagering £20,000 on a single race.
Virgo's autobiography, 'Say Goodnight, JV', takes its name from a line by comedian Jim Davidson on their hit TV show 'Big Break'. The book recounts his childhood in post-war Salford, his years as a teenage hustler in snooker clubs, and his rise to fame. He also speaks candidly about two failed marriages, blaming himself for their breakdown.
Despite the lows, Virgo looks back with humour, describing his UK Championship win as both the best and worst day of his life. He arrived late to the final after being given the wrong start time, was penalised two frames, and played in front of a booing crowd. To make matters worse, a BBC cameramen strike meant no footage exists of him lifting the trophy.
