John Virgo, the English professional snooker player and broadcaster, died on February 4, 2026, aged 79.
Born in Salford, Lancashire, on March 4, 1946, he turned professional in 1976 after success as an amateur and won four professional titles, including the 1979 UK Championship, when he defeated reigning world champion Terry Griffiths 14–13 in the final. He was a semi-finalist at the 1979 World Championship and the 1986 British Open, and a runner-up at the 1980 Champion of Champions.
Virgo retired from professional play in 1994 and later worked for the BBC, including as co-presenter of Big Break from 1991 to 2002 and as a commentator on Triple Crown events until shortly before his death.
John Trevor Virgo (4 March 1946 – 4 February 2026) was an English professional snooker player and broadcaster. After achieving success as an amateur, Virgo turned professional in 1976 at age 30 and won four professional titles during his career, including the 1979 UK Championship, where he defeated the reigning World Champion Terry Griffiths 14–13 in the final. A runner-up at the 1980 Champion of Champions, he was a semi-finalist at the 1979 World Championship and the 1986 British Open. He retired from professional play in 1994.