BBC's Hazel Irvine concludes World Championship coverage with touching John Virgo tribute

Snooker legends pay tribute to John Virgo

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 05/05/2026

- 08:39

John Virgo tragically passed away earlier this year as one of snooker's most revered characters

Hazel Irvine delivered a heartfelt farewell as the BBC wrapped up its World Snooker Championship coverage, paying tribute to the beloved John Virgo.

The legendary commentator passed away in February at 79 after suffering a ruptured aorta at a Costa del Sol hospital. It marked the first Crucible tournament without his iconic voice since he joined the BBC microphone back in 1994.


As Irvine closed out the broadcast, she said: "Absolutely amazing and I really hope you have enjoyed the last 17 days with us. What are we all going to do tomorrow morning? I don't know."

She finished with a touching sign-off: "From all of us it's goodbye and it's also good night JV."

Hazel Irvine paid a touching tribute to John Virgo as the BBC concluded its coverage

Hazel Irvine paid a touching tribute to John Virgo as the BBC concluded its coverage

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GETTY

Brook-Leah Virgo appeared on the same broadcast for an emotional interview with Abigail Davies, speaking about what her father meant to the family.

She said: "I am so proud. It's amazing, this is our snooker family, what an honour to be here and we have been looked after like royalty."

Brook-Leah admitted that watching the tournament without her dad's commentary has been difficult for the family.

"Obviously listening to the snooker, he's missing, and it's hard for us," she explained.

"I have been saying it all day, every day, 'how lucky are we to have this guy as our dad?' What a legend, the voice, keep him alive. It means everything to me and my family, everything."

John Virgo tragically passed away earlier this year

John Virgo tragically passed away earlier this year

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GETTY

Wu Yize claimed the World Snooker Championship title in dramatic fashion, edging past Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a nail-biting decider at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.

The victory makes him the second Chinese player in a row to lift snooker's biggest prize, pocketing £500,000 and rocketing up to fourth in the world rankings.

After embracing Murphy following his match-winning break, Wu paid tribute to his parents in an emotional speech.

"My parents are the true champions," he said. "Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side. My mum has also been going through a lot over the years. They are the source of my strength, I love them so much."

BBC pundits Steve Davis and John Parrott were full of praise for the new champion's remarkable journey.

Parrott revealed the sacrifices Wu made to reach the top: "Came over and were living in a one-bedroom flat, him and his father were sleeping in the same bed. [They had] Absolutely nothing."

Wu Yize beat Shaun Murphy in an incredible final to become world champion

Wu Yize beat Shaun Murphy in an incredible final to become world champion

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REUTERS

Six-time Crucible winner Davis was equally impressed, saying: "He's shown bottle, he's shown class, he's shown control around the table on the positional shots.

"He's had a bit of nous as well when needed. In the end he showed great character."

Davis added that Chinese players are now "setting the benchmark" for European and British competitors, with their style of play something others will need to match for years to come.