John Virgo, with his colorful waistcoats, witty catchphrases, and astonishing trick shots, was a household name in British snooker.
Fans adored his television presence, but behind the charm and the big smiles, Virgo was facing a private battle that could have destroyed him.
At the height of his fame, Virgo was secretly consumed by a gambling addiction that accumulated to £200,000.
The addiction cost him two marriages, his family home, and almost led him into bankruptcy.
Rock Bottom and a Life in Shambles
Virgo, who passed away today at the age of 79, later opened up about relying on friends for help after his three-bedroom Surrey home was repossessed.
He admitted that as his betting debts mounted, so did his personal and professional struggles.
The life he had built began to crumble.
Salvation came unexpectedly in the form of publishing executive Rosie Ries.
She became his third wife in 2009 and played a pivotal role in helping Virgo rebuild his life after decades of turmoil.
Their love story led him to quiet happiness in Spain after years of despair.
From Salford to Stardom
Born in Salford on March 4, 1946, Virgo was the youngest of five children in a working-class family.
His father earned £9.50 a week as a crane driver, barely enough to make ends meet.
Virgo recalled how his family often paid for shoes and trousers in installments and hid from the rent collector when money was tight.
Virgo left school at 15 to work as an invoice clerk while spending his spare time playing snooker in northern clubs for small stakes.
His talent shone through, and by 1971, he won the British Youth Championships and earned an invitation to a Granada Television tournament for amateurs.
By then, he was married to his first wife, Susan, who had given birth to their son, Gary.
Winning the tournament, he was not allowed prize money and requested £350 in Mothercare vouchers instead.
Early Career Highlights
In 1973, Virgo appeared on the cult TV sports show The Indoor League, reaching the semi-finals of an American pool tournament.
Three years later, he turned professional, still one of the youngest players on the snooker circuit at 30.
Virgo’s breakthrough came in 1979, reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship and winning the UK Championship—his first major tournament victory.
But as his performance dipped in the 1980s and exhibition work declined, Virgo turned to gambling to supplement his income.
The Gambling Spiral
His habit soon became a trap.
Over six years, he borrowed £200,000 against his mortgage just to maintain the appearance of success.
He described this period as a “vicious circle.”
At one point, he lost £10,000 in just two weeks, and even TV star Des O’Connor offered to act as his bookie.
Reflecting in 2017, Virgo admitted:
“There was pressure on me to have the newest car, a more expensive holiday.
When snooker results weren’t coming, I tried to make up the difference through betting.
By 1990, it was threatening to ruin my life.”
Virgo also invested in a racehorse, Jokist, which never became a top competitor.
His emotional attachment prevented him from selling it, leaving him £60,000 out of pocket.
Personal Life in Turmoil
During these financial struggles, his second marriage to Avril fell apart after eight years, coinciding with his increasing debts.
Rising interest rates pushed his mortgage from £40,000 to £200,000, forcing him to hand back the keys to his home and move in with a friend.
It was in this challenging period, living in a small Surrey house, that Virgo first met Rosie Ries.
Though they didn’t date immediately—he waited 22 years—eventually, they connected.
Virgo’s charm and humor won her over, and within two months of finally dating, they were engaged.
Their wedding in 2009 was, according to Virgo, “the best day of my life.”
Career Renaissance
By the time Virgo married Rosie, his fortunes were on the upswing.
He landed a presenting role alongside Jim Davidson on Big Break, which ran from 1991 to 2002 and drew audiences of up to 14 million.
Alongside television appearances, chat shows, and even being “gunged” on Noel’s House Party, Virgo launched his own line of waistcoats, wrote books, and developed an app showcasing his trick shots.
Reflecting on his success with Davidson, Virgo said:
“He’s a crafty Conservative comedian, and I’m a dour northern socialist.
Somehow it worked.”
Even after retiring from professional play in 1994, Virgo remained a beloved BBC commentator, famously coining the phrase, “Where’s the cue ball going?!”
Controversies and Comebacks
Virgo faced occasional controversy, including a 2009 apology for a racially insensitive remark on a BBC broadcast and a 2016 incident where he swore during a World Championship semi-final.
Yet his popularity endured. In 2020, a fan-led backlash prevented the BBC from retiring him and Dennis Taylor.
Virgo’s final commentary came just 17 days ago during the Masters final.
Reflecting on a Remarkable Life
Despite his personal and professional highs and lows, Virgo rarely expressed regrets.
Speaking about his journey from Salford to international stardom, he said:
“I feel very lucky to have walked into a snooker club with ripped trousers and ended up traveling the world playing a game I loved.”
Through resilience, the support of his third wife, and a remarkable career, John Virgo turned a life that could have ended in despair into one remembered for laughter, skill, and triumph.
