‘I’m not going to beg for a job’ – John Virgo confirms BBC snooker commentary axe but plans to revive Big Break

ICONIC Snooker commentator John Virgo has accepted the BBC’s decision to replace him in 2023.

Virgo, 76, and Dennie Taylor were supposed to have one final hurrah at this year’s World Championships but they have been given one more year.

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John Virgo has worked as a commentator on BBC’s Snooker coverage for 30 years[/caption]

The former snooker player acknowledges the BBC’s desire for fresh faces and younger voices.

He told The Telegraph: “I wouldn’t have been like this 30 years ago, I would have been fighting my corner.

“But I’ve realised – and it’s taken me a long time to realise it – not to get caught up in something you have no control of.

“I can’t have any bad feelings. Maybe it’s a working-class attitude I’ve been brought up with but there’s b******s all I can do about it, so why get bothered?

“I’m not going to go round on my hands and knees begging for a job. I’m past that. So I’ll just get on with what I’m doing, enjoy it and treasure every moment.

“I understand that you get over a certain age and they want to try something different.”

Virgo has no plans to retire anytime soon and still has a number of plans to keep busy, including commentating at the Seniors World Snooker Championship.

He also revealed his wish to revive Big Break – the snooker-based television game show which peaked at 13.9million viewers and took Question of Sport’s prime-time slot.

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Virgo would love the show to return – if only to spark interest in a sport with a dwindling and ageing fanbase.

The show propelled Virgo and his co-host Jim Davidson into the limelight and the pair performed pantomime together for eight years.

His schedule is now full of exhibitions events and theatre shows so there is no sign of slowing down for the snooker veteran.