John Virgo's cause of death confirmed as wife pays tear-jerking tribute
Snooker icon John Virgo has died aged 79, with tributes pouring in from Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and the wider sporting world.
www.express.co.ukI don’t have live access to current news at the moment. Here’s what’s widely reported about John Virgo:
- John Virgo, the former snooker player and BBC commentator, died in early February 2026 at age 79, with confirmation from family sources that his death occurred in Spain where he had been living with his wife Rosie.[2][4]
- The family and many in the snooker community described his passing as sudden, and early accounts cited a ruptured aorta as the cause of death. Tributes from players and figures across snooker poured in, noting his impact as both a player and broadcaster.[4][2]
- Virgo’s final BBC appearance occurred shortly before his death, adding to the sense of a life lived fully in the public eye.[2]
- Several outlets published tributes and obituaries, reiterating his contributions to snooker through playing, commentary, and mainstream television with Big Break.[9][4][2]
If you’d like, I can look up the latest official statements or memorial details and summarize them with links. I can also provide a brief timeline of Virgo’s career highlights and his most famous broadcasting moments.