John Virgo Recalls His Unlikely Partnership with Jim Davidson on Big Break
Former professional snooker player John Virgo has spoken about his successful partnership with comedian Jim Davidson on the popular BBC gameshow Big Break. The show, which aired from 1991 to 2002, became a huge hit with viewers, attracting nearly 14 million viewers at its peak. Virgo, who is currently commentating for the BBC at the World Championship, reflected on his time working with Davidson, saying: "I always remember, 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 [Alex] Higgins for 20 years!’ I wasn’t daunted by working with Jim."
According to an interview with the Express, Virgo, a UK Championship winner, had concerns about working with Davidson, given their vastly different backgrounds. "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 said. Despite Davidson’s lack of knowledge about snooker, Virgo found him to be a "funny man and a very generous man to work with." The duo’s on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and their partnership helped make Big Break a huge success.
Big Break was a quiz show that combined snooker with comedy, and it came along at a time when Virgo’s professional snooker career was winding down. "The ’79 UK [Championship] was the highlight of mine," Virgo reflected. "I’d got to a few semi-finals but you could see I was slightly on the wane. I’d miss balls that I would previously never miss. You go back to your seat and you’re so frustrated. Then, in the cold light of day, you think, ‘What am I going to do next?’" The opportunity to work on Big Break with Davidson proved to be a welcome new challenge for Virgo.
Virgo revealed that he was initially unsure about the show’s prospects, given Davidson’s limited knowledge of snooker. "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’," he said. However, the show’s popularity soon became apparent, with viewing figures surpassing those of A Question of Sport. "We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night [before Big Break moved to its early Saturday evening slot] and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time," Virgo explained.
The success of Big Break led to a long-term partnership between Virgo and Davidson, both on and off screen. "After that, we did pantomime together for eight years," Virgo revealed. "It was certainly a different way of life for me, from being a snooker player to getting into show business." Virgo had previously done pantomime with children’s entertainer Timmy Mallet, but working with Davidson was a new experience. "I’d previously done panto with [children’s entertainer] Timmy Mallet. He’d chase me off the stage trying to hit me with his mallet. I was thinking, ‘what am I doing here!?’… The next year, he asked me to do pantomime with him," Virgo said.
The unlikely partnership between Virgo and Davidson proved that even the most disparate of personalities could come together to create something special. As Virgo noted, "You’d never put us together as mates, but we got on famously." Their collaboration on Big Break remains one of the most memorable moments in British television history, and Virgo’s reflections on their time together provide a fascinating insight into the making of a beloved TV show. The Express has been reporting on the story.
Their on-screen chemistry earned them a special place in the hearts of British viewers, and their show remains a cherished memory for many. As a testament to their enduring popularity, Virgo and Davidson’s partnership on Big Break continues to be celebrated by fans today.
Big Break may have ended its run in 2002, but its impact on British television endures. The show’s unique blend of snooker and comedy helped to bring the sport to a wider audience, and its influence can still be seen in many modern TV shows. As Virgo looks back on his time on Big Break, he is clear about the show’s lasting legacy.
The BBC has a long history of producing high-quality television shows, and Big Break is certainly one of its most beloved. The show’s success can be attributed in large part to the chemistry between Virgo and Davidson, who worked together to create a truly unique viewing experience.
For Virgo, working on Big Break was a welcome new challenge after his professional snooker career had begun to wind down. It allowed him to stay involved in the sport he loves while also exploring his creative side. As he looks back on his time on the show, Virgo is clear about the impact it had on his life.
In conclusion, John Virgo’s partnership with Jim Davidson on Big Break is a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in television. Their on-screen chemistry helped to make the show a huge success, and its impact can still be felt today. As a source of entertainment and enjoyment for millions of viewers, Big Break will always be remembered as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
