Former player and broadcaster John Virgo has died at the age of 79, World Snooker has announced.
Virgo’s most notable victory was in the final of the 1979 UK Championship, where he defeated Terry Griffiths.
Other key career wins include the 1980 Bombay International, 1980 Pontins Professional and the 1984 Professional Snooker League.
The iconic wins earned him a place in the World Snooker Hall of Fame.
Born in Salford, he came to attention after in the late 1970s, becoming one of the youngest player on the British circuit at just 30 years old.
By 1979 he stunned fans by reaching the semi-finals of the 1979 World Championship – before going on to win the UK Championship that same year.
Following his retirement in 1994, he went on to have a successful broadcasting career with the BBC.
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He co-hosted TV show Big Break with comedian Jim Davidson during the 1990s.
In retirement he also began playing exhibition games – where he became known for pulling off trick shots.
Virgo also lent his hand at acting – playing as himself in a radio play, Skunk, which follows an aspiring snooker player.
He is survived by his two children, Gary and Brook-Leah Virgo.
Former snooker player Mike Dunn described Virgo as a “great human being” in a social media post.
He said: “Very sadly I’ve just woke to the news that the great John Virgo has passed away.
“‘I’m speechless and don’t know what to say.
“I loved working with him, he was a great human being.”
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