Hazel Irvine offered some poignant words and a happy birthday wish, following a touching tribute to the late John Virgo, on the BBC's World Snooker Championship final coverage. The Voice of Snooker passed away earlier this year, and the Crucible has played host to some fitting testimonials.

Following a video package that brought together the sport's best practitioners' memories of the snooker icon, the broadcast returned to the studio, where Irvine was permitted to offer a moment of reflection. Irvine said: "I think John Parrott said it for all of us at the memorial...if only you had 30 seconds to say what you really feel about someone. I think we can all take that to heart in whatever walk of life we're in."

She then announced: "It's also John's fantastic wife's Rosie's birthday today. I know you'll be watching and we send all the love in the world to you. Please know that we talk about John and you every single day." Irvine then blew a kiss into the camera and added: "Our greatest big kiss to you."

"He would love this final, John Virgo, and I'm sure somewhere he'll be watching and enjoying it," Irvine remarked be throwing back to the commentary booth as Shaun Murphy and Wu Yize returned for the second half of their evening session.

After play restarted, Dennis Taylor said: "What a wonderful tribute to our dear friend John Virgo that was." The 1985 world champion then had a birthday wish of his own to shout out.

"Another one of John's good friends, who couldn't make the memorial, and he's worked with John on many occasions and one of the great commentators with the BBC, Ray Edmonds was 90 last Saturday, and I know he'll be watching.

Taylor then highlighted two fans with shirts in the Crucible crowd that displayed some of Virgo's most famous phrases: "Where's the cue ball going?" and "Inch perfect." He said: "Well done boys."

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Earlier in the day, during the beginning of Murphy's match against Wu, a pair in the audience were spotted wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Virgo's famous phrase: "Is there a gap? There's always a gap!"

BBC commentator John Parrott said: "Oh and that's a lovely touch, fans coming today, of course we lost our great friend John Virgo. Well done fellas. Nice touch, one of John's favourite sayings."

Virgo died aged 79 in February in Spain, barely a month on from commentating at the Masters.