BBC presenter Hazel Irvine was left stunned after learning of World Snooker Championship finalist Shaun Murphy's generous gesture towards the family of the late John Virgo on Monday. The son and daughter of the iconic snooker commentator were present at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield to witness the final session of Murphy's showdown against Wu Yize.
Virgo's Legacy and Murphy's Kindness
Virgo passed away in February at the age of 79, just weeks after covering the Masters for the BBC. Following an 18-year playing career, he joined the BBC as a commentator in 1994 and became synonymous with the sport's coverage. His daughter, Brook-Leah Murrells, spoke to the BBC on Monday evening to reveal that she and her brother were able to attend thanks to Murphy providing them with tickets.
She said: "Shaun Murphy is a very good friend of our family and he has been messaging all of us, checking in. He flew to Spain for my dad's private family funeral, he means a lot to us. So this morning we woke up at 7am, me, my brother and knew we had to get in that car. So we drove here to be with him and Jo and be a family, that's what we are."
BBC Studio Reaction
The BBC's broadcast cut back to the studio where Irvine was seated alongside Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis. Irvine said: "Fantastic to see Brook-Leah and Gary here as well. They've been so, so strong the last few weeks. Obviously at the memorial service Gary gave the most incredible eulogy, he really did. And of course Brook-Leah spoke as well there. The mark of Shaun Murphy, the fact he sorted them out with the tickets. They had to be there. That in itself, I did not know that. That's a wonderful story."
Hendry responded: "Yeah very good of Shaun. Very brave of them to come here. The standing ovation, you had goosebumps didn't you? I know we've said it a few times these last 17 days, it feels weird John not being in that box commentating on the final. It feels very strange."
Davis continued: "He'd have absolutely revelled in this. He would have been saying 'where's the cue ball going?' many times during this match. He was a snooker fan right through the middle of him. He would have built the tension wonderfully. Not to say that the next commentators that are going there won't be able to do a good job on that as well!"
To which Hendry responded: "I shall try my best." But the ever-gracious Irvine replied: "You're doing brilliantly, I must say."
Murphy's Connection to Virgo
2005 world champion Murphy had previously worked alongside Virgo for the BBC and remarked following the news of his death three months ago: "I first met John in 1994, filming Junior Big Break. He then went on to become a friend and colleague. I learned so much from him whilst sharing a commentary box. The voice of snooker will be sadly missed."
Murphy recently volunteered to present Big Break, the legendary BBC programme fronted by Virgo and comedian Jim Davidson between 1991 and 2002. Murphy said: "It would be up there in the top two or three possible tributes to JV, wouldn't it? Big Break was just part of all of our childhoods. I was actually in conversation many, many years ago with the creator of Big Break, who put me forward as he wanted me to be one of the hosts. I was absolutely delighted to be included in the conversation. Not sure where that conversation went, but it's not on the screen yet. If it were to come back and they came calling, I'm in. If I get asked, I'm doing it."
Family's Gratitude
Virgo's daughter Brook-Leah told the BBC: "I am so proud. It's amazing, this is our snooker family, what an honour to be here and we have been looked after like royalty. We are so grateful and proud doesn't even touch what we feel about our dad. I have probably spent 11 weeks crying so it does not bode well, but the warmth and the stories that everyone has, you really feel like everyone is going through this loss. It was emotional, inevitably never to be done again, it was something special. I have been saying it all day, every day, 'how lucky are we to have this guy as our dad?'. What a legend, the voice, keep him alive. It means everything to me and my family, everything."
Virgo was beloved for his "where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase and his legacy has been honoured throughout this year's World Championship.
