John Virgo's Stock Response to Awkward Jim Davidson Questions
There was significant intrigue surrounding the working dynamic between John Virgo and Jim Davidson on the iconic snooker game show Big Break. The pairing of a cockney Conservative-supporting comedian and a northern socialist seemed risky, yet they produced over a decade of comedy gold, with Davidson as the presenter and Virgo as the hilariously dour referee.
Virgo's Unfazed Reaction to Davidson's Reputation
John Virgo, who passed away in February at age 79, was frequently asked about working with Jim Davidson, with many expecting a negative response. However, having spent extensive time with snooker's legendary hellraiser Alex Higgins, the former UK Championship winner remained unfazed. Virgo stated, "Jim had a bit of a reputation in the business for being hard work. A few people asked me, 'How are you getting on working with Jim Davidson?' I said, 'He doesn’t bother me, I worked with Higgins for 20 years!' I wasn't daunted by working with Jim."
He added, "It's a funny thing about life. He's your crafty Conservative comedian and I’m your dour northern socialist. How do you come up with that? But obviously the chemistry worked."
Praise for Davidson's Generosity and Show Success
While Davidson's snooker knowledge was basic, Virgo praised the comedian's generosity, noting, "Although Jim didn't know much about snooker, what a funny man and a very generous man to work with. We really got on well. Besides, when you're in those positions, the most important thing is that the show works."
Recalling the initial call to join Big Break, Virgo said, "I still had the commentary and I still had exhibitions, where I'd do impersonations of other players, which was very popular. Then, all of a sudden, I get this phone call, 'Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with Jim Davidson.' I'd met him once a few years previously, but I didn't really know him."
The Unexpected Popularity of Big Break
Virgo admitted initial doubts, saying, "It was funny because we got there and he didn't know much about snooker. In all honesty, after doing the first couple of shows, I was thinking, 'I don't see how this works.'" However, after eight episodes, they took over the slot from A Question of Sport on Tuesday nights, achieving better viewing figures. This demonstrated the immense popularity of snooker at the time.
He continued, "Then I got another phone call and they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18! We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14 million viewers. It was remarkable."
Legacy and Tribute to Virgo
The 2026 World Championship began with a poignant tribute to John Virgo, who had commentated on the Masters final just weeks before his death. The opening session, featuring world champion Zhao Xintong, included a minute's applause for the much-loved former player and broadcaster, honoring his contributions to the sport and entertainment.
