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Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC John Virgo's true feelings on Jim Davidson as comedian claims he was 'cancelled'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info BBC snooker pundit John Virgo has shared insights into his bond with comedian Jim Davidson, following Davidson's comments about being 'cancelled'. The pair became an iconic team on television throughout the 90s, co-hosting the hit snooker game show Big Break. With Davidson at the helm and Virgo donning the referee's gloves, the show paired members of the public with professional snooker players in a bid to win prizes, drawing in audiences of nearly 14 million at its peak. As Virgo, who is now 79, was transitioning from professional snooker to a career in broadcasting, he initially doubted the potential success of Big Break. His reservations were quickly dispelled as the show soared in popularity. READ MORE - BBC The One Show guest Sheila Hancock doesn't hold back as she makes 'scathing remark' READ MORE - ITV Amanda Holden sets record straight on 'wild rumour' about ex Les Dennis Speaking to the Daily Express, Virgo reminisced: "All of a sudden, I get this phone call, 'Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with this comedian, Jim Davidson'. "I'd met him once a few years previously, but I didn't really know him. It was funny because we got there and he didn't know much about snooker.", reports Wales Online. "In all honesty, after doing the first couple of shows, I was thinking, 'I don't see how this works'. Anyway, we did eight [episodes]. We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time. "Then I got another phone call and they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18," he exclaimed. "We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14million viewers. It was remarkable." The programme also marked the beginning of a surprising friendship between Virgo and Davidson, which nobody could have predicted. "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," Virgo shared. "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." After the show concluded its run in 2002, the two amigos still shared the spotlight, performing together in pantomime for eight straight years. Nonetheless, since Big Break wrapped up, Davidson has been embroiled in controversies following a slew of contentious remarks and episodes, often incorporating offensive jokes aimed at women, ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community in his comedy routines. He later insisted that he was unjustly "cancelled" by the BBC, claiming on GB News that he received £1 million from the broadcaster to "go away" after his heyday as a game show host. Virgo has disclosed his viewpoint on these developments, conceding that Davidson's absence from television is "understandable" yet describing it as a "waste of talent". He revealed that although they don't converse often, there's "a warmth that I don't get with many people" when they do meet. "Jim is a comic genius and yet he can't appear on television, because he has a black mark against his name," the commentator shared with The Telegraph. "It's understandable. I just feel it's a waste of a talent."
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
John Virgo makes Jim Davidson feelings clear after Big Break host 'cancelled'
The World Snooker Championship commentator fronted the popular BBC show alongside controversial comedian and presenter Jim Davidson in the 1990s John Virgo has opened up on his friendship with his former Big Break co-host Jim Davidson, after the comedian and presenter's claims that he was 'cancelled'. The duo fronted the supremely-popular snooker-based programme for just over a decade in the 1990s, with Davidson presenting and Virgo starring as a referee. It saw contestants team up with professional players to compete in various snooker-related rounds in order to win prizes. It proved a huge hit with viewing figures reaching almost 14 million at its peak. The show arrived as Virgo, now 79, was starting to wind down his snooker career and move into broadcasting, and he admits that he was sceptical about the show's chances of being successful when he first landed the gig. However, he was soon happily proven wrong. He said: "All of a sudden, I get this phone call, 'Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with this comedian, Jim Davidson'. "I'd met him once a few years previously, but I didn't really know him. It was funny because we got there and he didn't know much about snooker." Speaking to the Daily Express, Virgo added: "In all honesty, after doing the first couple of shows, I was thinking, 'I don't see how this works'. Anyway, we did eight [episodes]. We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time. "Then I got another phone call and they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18!," he added. "We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14million viewers. It was remarkable." The show was also the start of a close friendship between Virgo and Davidson, as unlikely as it initially seemed. "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," Virgo added. "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." The pair's friendship continued after the show aired for the final time in 2002, and they did pantomime together for eight years. However, since Big Break ended, Davidson has come under fire for a series of controversial comments and incidents, making numerous offensive jokes about women, racial and ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community in his stand-up act. He has gone on to claim he was unfairly "cancelled" by the BBC, alleging on GB News that he was paid £1million by the corporation to "go away" after his success as a presenter. Virgo has since made his feelings clear on the matter, admitting that Davidson no longer being on TV is "understandable" but claiming it is also a "waste of talent". He added that the pair no longer speak regularly, but share "a warmth that I don't get with many people" whenever they cross paths. "Jim is a comic genius and yet he can't appear on television, because he has a black mark against his name. It's understandable. I just feel it's a waste of a talent.'
Wales Online
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
John Virgo makes feelings clear on Jim Davidson after Big Break star 'cancelled'
John Virgo makes feelings clear on Jim Davidson after Big Break star 'cancelled' The World Snooker Championship commentator fronted the popular BBC show alongside Davidson in the 1990s Davidson and Virgo no longer speak regularly but remain friends (Image: BBC ) BBC snooker commentator John Virgo has opened up on his friendship with his former Big Break co-host Jim Davidson, after the comedian claimed he was 'cancelled'. The unlikely presenting duo fronted the popular snooker-based programme for just over a decade in the 1990s, with Davidson presenting and Virgo starring as a referee. It saw contestants team up with professional players to compete in various snooker-related rounds in order to win prizes, and proved a huge hit with viewing figures peaking at almost 14 million people. It came as Virgo, now 79, was starting to wind down his snooker career and move into broadcasting, and he admits that he was sceptical about the show's chances of being successful when he first landed the gig. However, he was soon happily proven wrong. He told the Daily Express: "All of a sudden, I get this phone call, 'Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with this comedian, Jim Davidson'. "I'd met him once a few years previously, but I didn't really know him. 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'. Anyway, we did eight [episodes]. We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time. Article continues below 'Then I got another phone call and they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18!," he added. "We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14million viewers. It was remarkable.' The show was also the start of a close friendship between Virgo and Davidson, as unlikely as it initially seemed. "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," Virgo added. '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.' The pair's friendship continued after the show aired for the final time in 2002, as they did pantomime together for eight years. However, since Big Break ended, Davidson has come under fire for a series of controversial comments and incidents, making numerous offensive jokes about women, racial and ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community in his stand-up act. He has gone on to claim he was unfairly "cancelled" by the BBC, alleging on GB News that he was paid £1 million by the corporation to "go away" after his success as a presenter. Virgo has since made his feelings clear on the matter, admitting that Davidson no longer being on TV is "understandable" but claiming it is also a "waste of talent". He added that the pair no longer speak regularly, but share "a warmth that I don't get with many people" whenever they cross paths. Article continues below "Jim is a comic genius and yet he can't appear on television, because he has a black mark against his name," the commentator told The Telegraph. "It's understandable. I just feel it's a waste of a talent.'
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
John Parrott's wife, net worth, Question of Sport exit and stance on BBC snooker outcry
John Parrott has been a familiar face on BBC snooker coverage for a number of years and has enjoyed a successful career in the sport both on the baize and in the commentary booth John Parrott has been a guiding voice for fans during the World Snooker Championship for many years, having himself clinched the title in 1991. The Liverpool-born snooker star turned pro in 1983 and had a dazzling career among the sport's elite, reaching numerous Triple Crown finals and adding a UK Championship to his World title in the 1991/92 season. When he decided to hang up his cue, Parrott smoothly transitioned into punditry and hasn't looked back since. The 60-year-old served as a captain on A Question of Sport from 1996 to 2002. An avid horse racing enthusiast, he's also dabbled in covering the sport for the BBC, where he provides insightful commentary and analysis when snooker graces our screens. Mirror Sport delves into Parrott's life off the green baize, including his net worth, wife, departure from the popular BBC show, and reaction to the potential dismissal of some close colleagues. Impressive net worth From his victorious World Snooker Championship career to his years as a sharp-witted pundit, Parrott has accumulated a wealth estimated at around £9.1million as of March 2024, according to reports. The man known as The Entertainer raked in £3.2m in prize money during his playing days, but it appears his most profitable venture has been television, reports Wales Online. Wife and leaving A Question of Sport Parrott's wife Karen remains a bit of a mystery, shying away from the public eye. Together, they have two kids, Josh and Ellie, born in 1994 and 1997, respectively. In fact, it is stated that Parrott's departure from A Question of Sport was motivated by his yearning to be with his family more often, avoiding the show's late finishes. In a heart-to-heart with The Telegraph back in 2002, Parrott admitted: "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." Speculated BBC shake-up After the end of the 2023 World Championship, whispers began circulating that two of Parrott's colleagues from the BBC punditry bench, the legendary John Virgo and Dennis Taylor, might be hanging up their commentating headsets. They've both been voices of snooker since their days as top-class players in the 80s, and it was rumoured the BBC would ask them to step down. Speaking on the Talking Snooker podcast, Virgo made it known: "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." Despite fans' concern that the beloved pair might depart, their positions remained secure, much to their delight. Parrott voiced his respect for his colleagues. "They're the voices of snooker, the two of them," Parrott recognised. "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. "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."
Wales Online
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
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 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. Article continues below 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. Article continues below "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."
