'What a showman, what an entertainer ...we had such a wonderful life. I miss him dearly'

THE late John Virgo had it all as a showman, commentator and entertainer, fellow snooker great and friend Dennis Taylor says.

- Marc Baker

Dubbed "Mr Perfection" for his ball control, he will be remembered with favourite stories by players and pals today at a memorial service in Sheffield Cathedral.

It will be an emotional occasion for Taylor, his friend of 50 years, who will also be covering the World Snooker Championships, which start on Saturday at the Sheffield Crucible, the home of snooker.

Taylor, 77, says this year's tournament will not be the same without Virgo, who died suddenly from a ruptured aorta on February 4, aged 79.

He adds: "Everyone is going to miss his commentary when the snooker starts this weekend. I know I will. All his catchphrases like, 'Where's the cue ball going?' will be missing.

"It is not going to be the same. Will I say any of John's catchphrases? Nah. I used to use, 'Where's the cue ball going?' But John made it his own. What a showman, what a commentator and what an entertainer he was. He had it all." As well as his great personal loss, Taylor, who is returning to Sheffield for his 26th year on commentary duty for the BBC, will miss Virgo as a colleague.

He says: "One of the greatest memories we shared in the commentary box was watching Ronnie O'Sullivan in 1997, when he made that famous 147 maximum break in five minutes and eight seconds.

"That was one of the greatest moments in the history of snooker."