Virgo’s ultimate BBC commentary got here in January, 17 days earlier than his dying, for the 2026 Masters ultimate.
Remembering his buddy and former colleague, Doherty mentioned: “The way he could draw a listener in, tell a story and build the drama, that’s an art in itself.
“It was simply great to share so many occasions in the commentary field with him and have so many laughs with him as effectively.”
Dennis Taylor, the 1985 world champion who later shared commentary duties with Virgo on the BBC, also paid tribute to him.
“John wasn’t solely liked by snooker followers across the world, he was liked for what he did on Big Break with Jim Davidson – folks watched that present in their hundreds of thousands – and, in fact, he did numerous pantomime,” he mentioned.
“He had an terrible lot of help there, which was great. There have been some beautiful phrases from Brook Leah, his daughter, and Gary, his son.”
Another of Virgo’s BBC colleagues, 1991 world champion John Parrott, praised him as a “sensible broadcaster and super commentator, however an amazing buddy”.
“[He was] simply somebody who enhanced the viewing for anyone who tuned in to watch snooker.”
