Snooker legend John Virgo, who died aged 79 on Wednesday, once had his home repossessed due to a gambling addiction that spiralled out of control. The Salford-born commentator, a beloved figure on BBC's snooker coverage for over 30 years, passed away in Spain, where he lived.
Virgo's playing career yielded four professional titles, including the 1979 UK Championship. After retiring in 1994, he became a successful media personality, co-presenting the BBC show Big Break. However, behind the scenes, he struggled with a gambling problem that saw him squander £10,000 on horse racing in a fortnight and borrow over £200,000 against his mortgage across six years in the 1980s.
His three-bedroom Surrey home was eventually repossessed. 'It was a vicious circle,' Virgo said. 'I was borrowing against the mortgage just to keep up the pretence that I was successful.' He eventually conquered his addiction, saying: 'I stopped when I realised I was living beyond my means.'
Virgo's gambling issues unfolded alongside two failed marriages, from which he had a son, Gary, and a daughter, Brooke-Leah. He later married publishing executive Rosie Ries in 2009, after knowing her for 22 years.
