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The likes of Shaun Murphy, John Higgins and Mark Selby have urged the BBC to bring back a legendary programme as a tribute to the late John Virgo. The legendary commentator, known to many as the voice of snooker, died in February at the age of 79. He worked right up until his death and was on commentary duties for the Masters just weeks earlier.

A minute's applause was held in honour of Virgo before the start of the World Snooker Championship, with some of the sport's biggest legends lining up to pay their respects. Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Dennis Taylor and Ken Doherty joined the Crucible crowd to mark Virgo's legacy as one of snooker's most recognisable and iconic figures.

Virgo also co-presented the snooker-themed game show Big Break between 1991 and 2002. Following his death, some of the game's leading players have called for the BBC to bring it back as a fitting tribute.

Quizzed on the possibility of a reboot, Murphy told Sporting Life: "It would be up there in the top two or three possible tributes to JV, wouldn't it? Big Break was just part of our childhoods. It was certainly part of my childhood."

Selby added: "It was an iconic show back in the day, so with snooker getting back on the map now and being as big as it's ever been, I think it would be good."

Big Break focused on teams consisting of a contestant and a professional snooker player competing in rounds that involve snooker, with the best team eventually seeing its player seeking to win prizes for their contestant.

Of course, the BBC would face the challenge of finding a new presenter with the ability to entertain audiences and make things interesting, just as Virgo did throughout the show's original run.

Murphy insisted that he would be open to the role, saying: "I was actually in conversation many years ago with the creator of Big Break, who put me forward as he wanted me to be one of the hosts.

"I was absolutely delighted to be included in that conversation. I'm not sure where that conversation went, but it's not on the screens yet. If it were to come back and they came calling, I'm in."

Higgins, meanwhile, said: "Who would you have without John Virgo, though? It would have to be one of the great champions, like Steve Davis."

Barry Hawkins and Neil Robertson also suggested that Davis would be the ideal candidate, while Mark Allen put forward a different name.

"I think someone who would be very, very good at it would be Ken Doherty," said the Northern Irishman. "I know he's very fun on exhibition nights. He'd probably be good at trickshots and he's got a good way with people, good conversation and jokes."

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