Last Updated on 12 minutes ago by Vijay Kumar
John Virgo, the beloved snooker player turned broadcaster, has died at the age of 79, World Snooker Tour confirmed on 4 February 2026. He passed away at his home in Spain.
John Virgo has passed away at the age of 79!
Rest in peace John! pic.twitter.com/gBaIIdyWmS
— I ❤️ Snooker (@ILoveSnooker_) February 4, 2026
Virgo’s professional career spanned nearly two decades after turning pro in 1976. His most notable achievement on the table was winning the 1979 UK Championship and reaching the World Championship semi-finals that same year, also achieving a career-high world ranking of No. 10.
After retiring in 1994, he became a cornerstone of snooker media as a BBC commentator, famous for his voice, insight, and memorable catchphrase “Where’s the cue ball going?”. Virgo also gained widespread popularity co-hosting the 1990s snooker-themed game show Big Break alongside Jim Davidson, and remained a fixture in exhibitions and broadcasts for decades.
He is survived by his wife Rosie and their family, including his children Gary and Brooke-Leah, as well as grandchildren. Messages from players, colleagues and fans reflected on his warmth, humour and lasting impact on the sport he helped bring to television audiences around the world.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
