It has been announced that both Hazel Irvine and John Virgo will not be part of the BBC’s coverage for this year’s World Championship.
TV presenter Irvine has been the face of BBC’s coverage of snooker for many years and Virgo has been a commentator for decades.
The pair’s absences from this year’s 17-day tournament were revealed to viewers during the first day’s play of the World Championship on Friday morning.
Stand-in presenter Jason Mohammad confirmed Virgo was in Spain and due to Government rules regarding the coronavirus could not be at Sheffield for the coverage. However the BBC did a video call with him as part of the channel’s tribute to Willie Thorne who died last month.
Hazel Irvine and John Virgo. Pictures by Monique Limbos
Mohammad also said Irvine was back at home due to a family illness and wished her the best.
Snooker fans on Twitter also sent Hazel the best of well wishes.
Jessica Evershed said: “Sending best wishes to Hazel Irvine. We miss you at the Crucible and hope to see you soon!
And Warren Pilkington said: “I’m sure the whole snooker community will be sending their best wishes to Hazel Irvine and family at this time – health has to come first. She will be missed at the Crucible of course.”
Snooker Chat 
John Virgo looked wretched on BBC on the chat with Jason Mohammed
We wish Hazel all the best, we are fan.
Glad she is not there Hope it is permanent
Nasty or what? Says more about you than about Hazel. Sad…
Missing Hazel Irvine at the Crucible this year. Hazel is a great part of the snooker family. Wishing you well and her family. See you back next year x
We need someone to say “Where’s the cue ball going?” come back Virgo
Get him to say it in Spanish
¿A dónde va la bola blanca?
Yes, John Virgo is a big part of snooker and we need him back soonest.
Best wishes to Hazel and family, missing you, take care
Super coverage without John Virgo and his inane comments
john virgo’s comments are brilliant, so keep your inane comments to yourself
Would also miss Willie Thorne R.I.P He spoke his mind in the Commentary Box. Some players often didn’t like it but he always commented on what he was seeing.
I agree with you – love JV’s “where’s the cue ball going?.
Agree wholeheartedly – really enjoying snooker without John Virgo’s constant talking over the snooker action and his incessant attempts to make it the “John Virgo Show”
John Virgo is the best commentator. Come back soon
We will miss hazel this year very important part of snooker greatest advent all the best to her and family look forward to her being back next year x
Really missing Hazel Irvine, always a great part of the snooker coverage,. Health comes first! see you next year, hopefully.
Yes I agree, a lovely lady and commentator
No Hazel Irvine is a bigger miss than no crowd
Hazel badly missed…the whole thing lacks a touch of her expertise and charisma. Hope all goes well ,Hazel…we miss you 🥰
Missing Hazel at the Crucible. Wishing you well and hope we see you again soon
The new commentators voice is the most smoothest and silkiest just like the guy from the old grey whistle test .Could listen to this guy all day long. Very good replacement to JV ,shame he is away though as he has been commentating for years and is part of snooker
New commentators are really annoying!! talking in cliches the whole time. Constantly distracting the viewer with football style nonsense in silly hushed tones and self centred McManus is even worse doom and gloom merchant. Come back J.V. and we miss you Hazel Irvine.
Miss you both, snooker isn’t the same without you. Glad that your keeping safe and well.
Wishing Hazel All The Best This Years Snooker Championship Will Not Be The Same Without You Wishing You And Your Family All The Best God Bless You All
I miss JV Having to put up with JP’s constant chatter
I think the replacement commentators voice reminds me of Ted Lowe
What is his name please
I hope Dennis Taylor goes to visit Virgo…Tonight!
With you there
Can’t wait for Hazel Irvine to return to snooker presenting. Missing her at the world championships.
hi all am saddened to here that john and hazel will not be part of team this year i wish the both of them all the best
Sorry not to see Hazel Irvine this year, and hope her family issues are resolved..
Glad she’s not just been replaced!
Just want to say how much we miss Hazel Irvine in the Snooker. She has so much incite and such charisma. We wish her and her family all the best. Xx
It’s a very dull Championship with a few of the regular crew missing. Thankfully Jimmy White is providing the laughs on Eurosport.
Insight*
I don’t understand those complaints about the BBC snooker commentary. You have no idea how good they actually are. Trust me. I sometimes can only watch the snooker on Eurosport with Dutch commentary.
Phyllis from the Nederlands i love watching snooker with Hezel , your missed hope your back soon,
best wishes Hazel, missing you , Steve x
Mohamed is a dreadful presenter .
Miss Hazel but not Virgo.
Hazel help !!!!!! Come back we need you!!!! Can’t be doing with being spoken too like a child by this new group…surely there must be someone who can relate to normal people it’s our national game C,MON BBC !!!!!
Change Channels over to Eurosport, ad breaks after end of most frames only snag, but better than BBC Studio waffle
bring back hazel and john virgo please.
I’m really missing Hazel Irvine at the Crucible. Not the same without her, but I wish her and her family well. Come back soon Hazel!
Missing Hazel, someone who gets snooker, best wishes to you and your family and hope to see you back next year.
Not a big snooker fan but miss them both .as part of the furniture.
So, why replace them with people without knowledge of the sport ?
Get a life for God’s sake ..more going on th an “missing” a tv presenter
only hope Hazel Irvine gets back soon
Still no Hazel ivine or jonn virgo on snooker UK open?
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Please come back soon Hazel, we miss you. You are needed still.
Sorry to hear about Willy Thorne. He and John Virgo were a brilliant team. Willy was my teacher of the game. Unfortunately I was much too old to play but due to him I could understand it. Goodbye Willy and come back soon John.
Hazel badly missed…the whole thing lacks a touch of her expertise and charisma. Hope all goes well ,Hazel…we miss you 🥰
John Virgo has been commentating too long! He critices EVERY professional shot, how many times has he held a trophy ( once)!!
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Great shame irreplaceable worthy experienced commentator
What is happening John Virgo most knowledgeable expert commentator disgraceful bring John and hazel back immediately of the same without them
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Virgo is not even a ‘HAS-BEEN He cackles continually about the obvious. “He is going for a red next”.
John stick to comedy.