The snooker world is mourning the loss of John Virgo, the iconic BBC commentator who passed away at 79 years old in Spain. While best known for his distinctive voice and three decades of snooker coverage, Virgo's life contained significant personal struggles, including a severe gambling addiction that led to his home being repossessed.
A Legendary Career Cut Short
John Virgo, born in Salford, enjoyed a remarkable 18-year professional playing career that saw him claim four major titles, most notably the 1979 UK Championship. He maintained a position in the sport's elite top 16 for seven consecutive seasons and reached finals in prestigious tournaments including the 1980 Champion of Champions and 1984 Australian Masters.
Following his retirement from professional play in 1994, Virgo transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, becoming a beloved fixture of BBC snooker coverage for over thirty years. His media career expanded significantly when he joined the hit BBC show Big Break as referee alongside comedian Jim Davidson three years before ending his playing career.
Behind the Scenes Turmoil
Despite his public success, Virgo's personal life was marked by considerable turmoil. The snooker star developed a serious gambling addiction that spiraled out of control during the 1980s. As his tournament winnings declined, he turned increasingly to betting, squandering £10,000 on horse racing in just two weeks at the peak of his addiction.
Virgo admitted to borrowing more than £200,000 against his mortgage over six years to fund his gambling habit and maintain appearances of success. This financial reckoning eventually resulted in his three-bedroom Surrey home being repossessed, with Virgo returning the keys to his mortgage lender.
"It was a vicious circle," Virgo confessed in later reflections. "I was doing commentary for the BBC and had exhibition work, but if you're not winning you are not earning as much. And when you're seen as a successful sportsman, people assume you're earning a good living."
The Pressure to Maintain Appearances
Virgo described feeling intense pressure to project success through material possessions like new cars and expensive holidays. "It was all about keeping up appearances," he explained. "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 commentator acknowledged that gambling culture was embedded in snooker's environment, with players often "hustling in the snooker clubs to earn a few quid and, if there was no one to play, you'd go in the bookies." By 1990, Virgo recognized his addiction was "in danger of ruining my life."
Overcoming Addiction and Finding Love
Virgo eventually conquered his gambling problem through self-awareness. "I stopped when I realised I was living beyond my means," he revealed, noting he rarely bet in later years except for occasional exceptions like backing a Grand National winner.
His struggle with addiction coincided with two failed marriages, from which he had a son named Gary and a daughter named Brook-Leah. After living alone for five years to "re-centre" himself, Virgo found lasting romance with publishing executive Rosie Ries, a mutual friend he had known for two decades.
The couple married in 2009 after what Virgo described as a delayed courtship. "I used my wit, charm and repartee on her and, blow me down, two months later we got engaged," he recalled with characteristic humor.
A Lasting Legacy
Despite announcing his planned retirement alongside fellow commentator Dennis Taylor at the end of the 2022/23 season, the BBC retained both "for the foreseeable future" due to their enduring popularity. Virgo continued commentating until shortly before his death, having covered the Masters tournament just last month.
Beyond broadcasting, Virgo's post-playing career included book deals, numerous pantomime appearances, and even launching his own line of waistcoats. His death was confirmed by Snooker Legends, a promotions company, which noted Virgo "was doing what he loved to do right up until the end, entertaining everyone."
The snooker community remembers John Virgo not only for his professional achievements and distinctive commentary style, but also for his candidness about personal struggles that humanized the sporting icon and highlighted the hidden pressures faced by professional athletes.
