Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jim Davidson pay tribute to snooker legend John Virgo
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jim Davidson have paid tributes to late snooker legend and former Big Break co-host John Virgo, after he passed away aged 79.
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jim Davidson have led tributes to late snooker legend John Virgo.
Snooker pro Ronnie, 50, has told how he was left "absolutely gutted" after finding out the broadcaster had passed away.
He took to social media to praise John, who died aged 79, as a "great mate", and he sent his condolences to the late star's family.
Ronnie wrote on X: "Finished my match to get the news that JV has passed away. Love to Rosie, Brooke and Gary.
"Such a great mate who I loved spending time with, absolutely gutted."
Ronnie was playing fellow Englishman Joe O'Connor at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong when news broke on Wednesday (04.02.26) of John's passing.
A one-minute silence was held at the tournament following the tragic news.
While John won several events as a snooker player in the 1980s, he was more recently known as a broadcaster.
He co-presented BBC snooker show Big Break with Jim Davidson, which aired from 1991 to 2002.
Jim has remembered John as a "great bloke", and admitted he spoke to him just last week.
He told GB News: "He was a great bloke. Ironically, I'm down at Ustream Studios today with the editors, put in a package together for John, who was going to come on my 50-year anniversary TV special we're doing, alongside you guys as well.
"Of course, now, the editing is going to turn right into a completely different thing. I spoke to him last week and he was looking forward to coming along. We were going to cut together some film of me and him getting it all wrong.
"He was a great bloke. He is a great bloke, wherever he is now. I heard this morning, I got a call from his beautiful daughter, Brooke-Leah, who told me the bad news.
"Of course, she's devastated and in shock and went into some detail. But the bottom line is he was a great guy. I got on brilliantly with him. Everybody loved him."
Snooker star Shaun Murphy also paid tribute to the late star.
He wrote: "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. Rest In Peace John Virgo."
Just last month, John commentated for the BBC at the Masters final, which was won by Kyren Wilson at London's Alexandra Palace.
