Snooker stars and fans gathered at Sheffield Cathedral on Thursday, April 16, 2026, to pay tribute to the late John Virgo, a beloved former player and commentator whose voice became synonymous with the sport. The memorial service, held just two days before the start of the 2026 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, drew a host of snooker’s most iconic figures, including six-time world champion Steve Davis, seven-time champion Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, Dennis Taylor, John Parrott, and Ken Doherty.
Virgo, who died in February 2026 at the age of 79, reached the World Snooker Championship semi-finals at Sheffield’s Crucible in 1979 and was a professional player for 18 years before transitioning to broadcasting in 1994. He became widely recognised for his work as a BBC commentator and co-presenter of the popular demonstrate Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002. His iconic catchphrase, “where’s the cue ball going?”, became a hallmark of snooker broadcasts during that era.
Speaking to the Press Association at the service, Steve Davis said: “We’re going to miss him dearly. A great commentator but a decent friend to us all, he made you feel very special. We all thought we were friends with John because he had a great heart and he was funny, sometimes cantankerous but we loved him for that. He was part of snooker’s furniture, he was part of snooker’s history and a wonderful commentator. He got the best out of every match.” Davis, who won the UK Championship in 1979 and reached the World Championship semi-finals that same year as Virgo, was among those in attendance alongside Virgo’s widow, Rosie Ries.
The Very Revd Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield, officiated the service, which featured a choir performing hymns and songs, including a rendition of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” From the altar, Dennis Taylor, Stephen Hendry, John Parrott, and Ken Doherty shared personal anecdotes and memories of Virgo. John Parrott humorously noted that Virgo is now “in the great commentary box in the sky with his good friend Willie Thorne,” describing him as “irreplaceable” and “always the ultimate pro.” He poignantly referenced one of Virgo’s famous catchphrases, saying, “Is there a gap… there is now my friend.”
Outside the cathedral, snooker fan Jim Fitzpatrick wore a shirt emblazoned with a snooker table design and Virgo’s name. He said he’d remember the personality as “funny” and someone who “didn’t grab sport too seriously.” To many, Salford-born Virgo was the voice of snooker and, despite a career which took him to a world ranking of 10, he was perhaps best known for his post-playing career in broadcasting and television.
The memorial service was attended by a host of players taking part in this year’s World Snooker Championship, including Shaun Murphy, John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, and Mark Williams. Virgo’s family—his widow Rosie Ries and his adult children Gary and Brook-Leah—were also present, along with other notable faces from the sport such as Cliff Thorburn and Tony Knowles.
Virgo’s broadcasting prowess included co-presenting the popular BBC show Big Break with comedian Jim Davidson. Airing between 1991 and 2002, the programme introduced snooker to a younger, primetime Saturday night audience. As a celebrated BBC commentator, his genuine passion for the sport truly resonated with viewers, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by fans and professionals alike.
The service served as a poignant reminder of Virgo’s enduring impact on snooker, both as a player and as a communicator who brought the game to life for generations. His ability to connect with audiences through humour, insight, and an unfeigned love for the sport made him a cherished figure in snooker’s history.
As the 2026 World Snooker Championship gets underway at the Crucible Theatre, the snooker world carries forward the memory of John Virgo — a man whose voice, wit, and warmth helped define an era of the sport.