John Parrott's huge net worth, private wife and BBC Question of Sport exit
John Parrott's huge net worth, private wife and BBC Question of Sport exit
Former snooker star John Parrott has been a BBC mainstay since transitioning into punditry after hanging up his cue, and he's earned a tidy sum for his troubles
John Parrott is a BBC snooker mainstay
(Image: Getty Images )
BBC pundit John Parrott has helped guide fans through World Snooker Championship action for years, having won the tournament himself in 1991.
Liverpool-born Parrott turned professional in 1983 and enjoyed a glittering career amongst snooker's elite, reaching a string of Triple Crown finals, and adding a UK Championship to his Worlds title in the 1991/92 season. When it came time to call it a day, Parrott transitioned seamlessly into punditry and hasn't looked back.
The 60-year-old was A Question of Sport captain from 1996 to 2002. As a horse racing fan, he has also tried his hand at covering the sport for the BBC, for whom he so excellently provides commentary and analysis when the snooker hits our screens. We take a look at Parrott's life away from the baize, including his net worth, wife, leaving of the BBC hit show, and response to the potential axing of some close peers.
Stellar net worth
From his World Snooker Championship-winning playing career to his years of service as an astute pundit, Parrott has amassed a fortune in the region of £9.1million - according to Casino.org, as of March 2024.
The man nicknamed The Entertainer accumulated £3.2m worth of prize money with a cue in his hand, though it seems his more lucrative venture has been TV.
Wife and ditching A Question of Sport
Little is known about Parrott's wife, whose name is Karen, as she prefers to keep herself out of the limelight. The pair have two children together, Josh, who was born in 1994, and Ellie, who was born in 1997.
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Parrott was on A Question of Sport as a captain
(Image: A Question of Sport )
However, it is suggested that when Parrott stepped down from his role on A Question of Sport 23 years ago, it was because of a desire to spend more time with his family.
Speaking to The Telegraph in 2002, he said: "The travelling was tough. Often, I'd be leaving the house at 10 o'clock in the morning to film three shows and not get back until three or four the next day.
"I loved the show, but I'd had a good stint and, as much as I enjoy Ally's company, I'd rather be at home with my boy, my girl and my wife. From the day the children were born, my priorities changed. Getting up in the morning with the radio on in the kitchen, seeing the two of them sitting there at the table while the missus runs round making a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea is my idea of paradise."
Stance on rumoured BBC axing
After the 2023 World Championship, it was rumoured that two of Parrott's BBC punditry colleagues, John Virgo and Dennis Taylor - both iconic former players in their own right - would be leaving the broadcaster's coverage, having picked up the microphone during their playing careers in the 1980s.
Speaking to the Talking Snooker podcast, Virgo said: "Listen, you never know what's around the corner in life, but it looks like this will be my last season. Not my choice, theirs [the BBC]. Along with Dennis [Taylor], apparently."
Virgo and Taylor still work for the BBC
(Image: Getty Images )
However, this was not the case, and as fans rejoiced that the iconic duo would remain in their post, Parrott also shared his admiration for two close peers.
"They're the voices of snooker, the two of them," admitted Parrott. "They've seen the game over all the eras, all the greats. We have a broad spectrum of people who love the game and there's plenty of older people who still remember John and Dennis playing, and they like the old stories, the memories.
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"Dennis and JV put it over brilliantly. Their voices are synonymous with the sport. They're very knowledgeable, they're sitting in the commentary box talking about it, it's not a massive physical effort, so at there's no reason at their age why they shouldn't be allowed to carry on. Both of them are excellent at their jobs."
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