John Virgo
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| John Virgo | |
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 John Virgo in 2003
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| Born | March 3, 1946 , Salford, Lancashire |
| Nationality |  English |
| Nickname(s) | The Mimic; The Astrologer; Mr Incredulous; JV |
| Professional | 1976–1994 |
| Highest ranking | #10 (1979/80) |
| Tournament wins | |
| Ranking | 0 |
| Non-ranking | 2 |
John Virgo (born 3 March 1946, in Salford, Lancashire, England) is an English former professional snooker player and more recently a snooker commentator and TV personality.
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[edit] Career
John Virgo turned professional in 1976. His snooker-playing fortunes peaked in 1979 when he reached the semi-final of the World Championship and went on to win the 1979 UK Championship (though this was not a ranking event at the time). His UK Championship win came despite his being controversially docked two frames for arriving late after his alarm clock failed to go off. He reached number 10 in the rankings the next season.
Virgo, as part of his exhibition performances, had long performed trick shots and comedy impressions of other snooker players. During the 1982 World Championship, after one semi-final had finished early, he performed some of his impressions, such as of Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths and Dennis Taylor. Virgo retired from professional play in 1994. He is now a TV snooker commentator and was co-presenter of the snooker-based TV game show Big Break with comedian Jim Davidson. During each show, Virgo would participate in the "trick shots" segment, where a competitor who had been ousted from the main quiz would try to copy a complicated snooker shot performed by Virgo in order to win a prize. He also arranges snooker-based corporate events with Jimmy White.
Virgo was once gunged on Noel's House Party.
[edit] Catchphrases
"That's absolutely inch-perfect."
"Welcome to Gardeners' World!" (when somebody hits a plant shot of one ball onto another; Gardeners' World is a gardening TV programme).
"Jupiter, Jupiter, munch it down" (when someone pots the brown in one of the centre pockets).
"Where's the cue ball going, where's the cue ball going!" (when the cue ball appears to be heading towards a pocket).
"Great chance!"
"Pot as many balls as you can."
"Good night JV." (said in a glum voice in response to someone, often Jim Davidson, saying "say good night JV").
"He'll settle for that." (when a shot doesn't go completely as planned, but the result is still beneficial to whoever played it).
"Put on those old clogs, we're going to dance in Itchycoo Park." (when someone pots a red followed by the blue followed by a red then a pink).
"It's there!" (when an important, but ultimately tough pot, is sunk or on course for the pocket).
"That wiped its feet." (when a shot is slightly off target, causing the ball to bounce on either side of the jaw of a pocket before eventually falling in for a successful pot).
"That's one of his five-a-day." (when someone pots the green).
[edit] Tournament wins
[edit] Other wins
- UK Snooker Championship - 1979 (Did not become a ranking event until 1984)
- Cue-tip speed snooker 5000 - 1980 (Non-ranking)
[edit] External links
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