Snooker Chat Transcript
with John Virgo, Joe Perry and Mark King

April 25th 2002

Did you join John Virgo, Joe Perry and Mark King in the SnookerChat event on Thursday 25th April? Read the transcript below:

(*please be warned that it contains some strong language and colourful answers!)

Stormy Jim: will jimmy be in trouble for blowing a fuse?

John Virgo: No, We saw Quinten Hanns do that the other day.The frustration that Jimmy had in the afternoon was immense and it was totally unlike Jimmy White in the way he was frustrated. Obviously he'll have to play a bit but if you can lose one 6-2 you can win one 6-2! That may be the kick up the pants he needs !

Sarah S:Whose the most most naturally talented player in your view?

John Virgo: I would say Ronnie O'Sullivan..when he's on fire he's as good as anyone.

Digitally Tuned: Have you ever revisited 'virgos' bar in East Anglia recently?

John Virgo: No,I havent but I have plans to go there in the summer.Roger lede has promised to buy me a drink, what an incentive ! ;)

lg: Hello John, enjoyed seeing your impressions earlier - was that in an actual match and didn't your opposition mind?

John Virgo: It wasn't in match, I wish it had been as I may have won the World Championships !

Mohamed Gheewala: Is it true that professional snooker tables have heaters under the cloth and does this affect the roll of the balls ?

John Virgo: Yes,they do have heaters under the table, it's supposed to keep the bed of the table at a set temperature. Having the heating reduces any problems.

mr fish: Do you think people take you less seriously as a snooker player since you've been on Big Break?

John Virgo: I don't one anyone to take me seriously, I do a few trick shots !

chris willis: At professional level do any players still have a drink (alcholic) prior, or during matches?

John Virgo: Well,Bill Werbeniuk used to like a pint but you don't see players drinking at the table anymore.One or two may have a couple of halves.

Joel Mack1: Joe Perry: - who is your most jinxed against player?

Joe Perry: In recent times Ken Doherty! :) and Dave McDonell..played him about a dozen times and never beaten him :(

mr fish: Are there any restrictions on the cue that a player can use in a match?

Mark King: No what a stupid question !

BBC Host: Mark is laughing!

Mark King: Whoever put that question in should go back to the Twilight Zone !

PJ: John why do you wear such dodgy clobber?

John Virgo: Till I've seen what you wear I will keep my opinions to myself! The reason I wear the waistcoats is that I've been told I look good ! now go back to TOPMAN !

Ian Barr: What do you do when you are not playing?

John Virgo: Practice but my main hobbies are horse racing and golf.

BBC Host: John, aren't you too tall to be a jockey ?

Joe Perry: Golf , football, and Riva..but maybe Gala bingo!

Mark King: Mine are Football,golf and spending quality time with my family.

Hok Lau: Mark what is your current world ranking?

Mark King: I was 12 before this one.

Shad: Do you study other players' games, to get an idea of the shots they don't like to take on, or aren't particularly good at?

Joe Perry: Fergal O'Brien.

Mark King: Dave McDonell.

John Virgo: Any player worth his salt not analysing their game won't be worth their salt !

jas sta: Does joe support any football team?

Joe Perry: Arsenal

Joel Mack1: Mark and Joe - how often a day do you practice?

Joe and Mark: Three to four hours a day every day.

Don Biggs: John-fancy a rendition of "Snooker Loopy"?

John Virgo: Dennis was part of the matchroom team I had nothing to do with Snooker Loopy, I was part of Big Break!

lee wallis: Joe, whats that you are eating?

Joe Perry: Jungle Fresh Dry Roasted Peanuts! (they don't miss much do they ?!)

chris willis: Do you ever get REALLY fed up waiting for certain players (this isnt a reference to fergal o'brien, honest!)

Mark King: Yeah, very !

John Virgo: I think the modern day player is quicker. Terry Griffiths was the only player I knew that left a silver trail behind him !

Elgar Heath: Mark, what is the most amount of money you have lost as bet playing another player?

Mark King: About eleven hundred quid.... :(

jimbo jones: John will you smile and wave to my Nan she hasn't used the internet before !

BBC HOST: at this point Mr Virgo gives nan a nice hearty wave to camera !

Andy Mason: Mark, is the snooker league coming to Cleethorpes this year?

Mark King: How the hell do I know ?

Derek Spencer: Is Peter Ebdon as moody and cocky off the table as he is on it?

John Virgo: No Ebdon is one of the nicest lads on the tour.He has a total change of character when he gets on the table.

Joel Mack1: Do you have to be fit to be a snooker player?

Joe Perry: Not especially but it helps when you are practising and when you are on long flights.

lee wallis: Can we have a MEXICAN WAVE like yesterday? as I missed it.

BBC HOST: What takes place next it probably the best Mexican Wave ever witnessed on a webcam :)

tom baker: What's the funniest thing that's happend to you while playing?

Mark King: When I played last year I walked backwards I fell over an ice bucket!

John Virgo: I was playing for England against Canada I played Bill Werbeniuk and his trousers ripped.

Joe Perry: That happened to me too when I was playing a lady last year !

John Virgo: He had to have his trousers mended.

Snooker Hostess Remember the streaker earlier on this week .. Mark's doing his own rendition on the webcam !!

Giuseppe D'angelo: Mr Virgo, I know your usually on tv but behind the webcam it's not required to wear a jacket!

John Virgo: I've been working all day for the BBC. That's the only reason I am wearing a jacket..it's a Boss by the way.

Will Horner: Has there ever been a fight between players either before, after or during a match?

John Virgo: Only a few times between Alex Higgins and Dennis taylor but luckily they never came to blows.

Dean: Do snooker players get drug tested?

Joe Perry: Yeah, its random and in every final.

Jenotron: If you didn't go pro at snooker what job do you think you'd be doing instead?

Joe Perry: I've got an A-level in law so probably along those lines.

Snooker Hostess: Mark has just said (in a posh voice) to Joe "Oh really old chap .. well done!"

Mark King: One of my brothers does carpet fitting and the other a plasterer so I'd join up with them.


Nik S: How do you guys rate Matthew Stevens chances this year....he looks to be in top form ?

Mark King: I think he has a good chance apart from myself :) !

Joe Perry: I think he's got a good chance and he's overdue to win a ranking tournament.

matt gendall: Joe, who in your view is the best player on the circuit?

Joe Perry: It's got to be Ronnie O'Sullivan.

tom baker: Joe, what kind of person is Mark Williams, is he a bit moody ?

Joe Perry: No ! He's a good funny guy off the table.

Paul Kettell: Joe, What are you looking at up at the roof?

Joe Perry: The snookeron a tv screen ! Anthony davies v Alan McManus.

Joel Mack1; Have any of you ever prayed sincerely before an important match?

Mark King: No, Never !

Joel Mack1: Mark - do you think you can be number one one day?

Mark King: What at snooker or music?! <laughs> If I don't improve my game very rapidly then definitely not!

Peter bumble: Joe..... should I send in the pic of you doing your impression of the hulk !?

Joe Perry: Go away, naughty Bumble! Get on a diet you fatty!

BBC HOST: Bumble is a friend of Joe's with an incriminating photo !

Shad: Do you think Sven should have left his girlfriend for Ulrika???

Mark King: I think he should keep both! Should have kept them both going for as long as he could ....

Joel Mack: Mark - what are you going to do when you retire?

Mark King: Hopefully some form of snooker work maybe presenting or commentating ?

John mead: Mark, does the name lirkham mean anything to you?

Mark King: Do you mean Kirkham ? yes,I know a guy from a snooker hall in Kirkham.

Laura Masterson: Joe, what are your targets for next season?

Joe Perry: To win the tournament and establish myself in the top 16.

Belgian: Hi, what do you think about sex before a game or in the mid-session interval?

Joe Perry: Chance would be a fine thing!

Mark King: Could you please ring my wife and ask her? !

Garry: Mark, do you ever feel sorry for another player if you whitewash them !?

Mark King: No chance !

Paul Kettell: Does any of you have a pre-match ritual?

Mark King: Shave **** and a shower, if I have a shower before a match I clean my nuts then my hair!

Snooker Hostess: the four stars were *wash* ;)

tom baker: Mark, are you allowed to ask the ref if a colour will go back on its spot?

Joe Perry: No, I don't think so.

Ben Mountford: What do you think of Jimmy White hitting that black?

Mark King: Everyone gets frustrated and every player throws their teddies in the corner!

Singo: Can you give me any tips for helping me keep my concentration?

Joe Peery: I'd like to know the answer to that one !

Mark King: A nice Jack daniels....

John Mead: Mark, how's your dad? Ok I hope, say hello to him from me !

Mark King: Thanks,Dad is very well. Nice to hear from you John.

Jeni Dolan: Joe, what are your favourite tv programmes?

Joe Perry: Only fools and Horses.

Mark King: He also likes Television X and the Adult Channel !

Dave Wood: Have any of you ever ripped your trousers bending over the table in a match?

Joe Perry: I have once in a pro am playing a lady !I bent down at the table and had to buy a pair of jeans afterwards :(

Nick Waters: Joe - can you explain why Jimmy conceded the frame after he intentionally fouled on the black. He could still have won the frame couldn't he?

Joe Perry: I guess he was frustrated and didn't feel that he could carry on.

Ben Archod: I noticed a player standing up before his opponent took a really difficult shot, dont you think this is really bad form?

Joe Perry: No, as long as you are not in the view of the player.

Ben mountford: How scared are you if you have to play Ronnie?

Joe Perry: I mess my pants!!!!!!!

Mark King: Bring him on ! the Rocket's going down!!!!!!!!!!

Tom Godbold: Joe, what age did you start playing snooker?

Joe Perry: I was about nine

Mark King: Yeah..... nine months !

Andy Jones: Mark, what time is happy hour down the snooker hall tonight?

Mark King:: ********!!!!

David Lo: Mark, How often do you make a 147 in practice game??

Mark King: I never go for them !

Shad: have you ever considered going somewhere you're not known and hustling people?

Mark King: Yes ! ;>

Joe Perry: people have tried to get me to do it..but I've not been too keen.

Joel Mack1: Do any of you have kids?

Joe Perry: Not that I know of.....

Mark King:I've got a little boy and girl.

chris willis: Anyone ever bent down for a shot and farted?

Joe Perry: I have !!!!!!!!

Mark King:I've done a few silent but violent ones too!!!!

Stuart Simpson: To both guys...being from sheffield, I am very proud the World Championships have been held here for the last 20 odd years. Would you have it played anywhere else apart from in your front room?

Joe Perry: London

Mark King: Collier Rd, Romford where I live !

Jeni dolan: joe, what are your fave beers?

Joe Perry: I like Kronenburg and Stella gets me smashed ......hic,

cue tip: Mark my wife thinks you are very good looking....WILL YOU MARRY HER ? (please)

Mark King: How old is she , what she looks like and how big her assets are !!!!

jeni dolan: Mark where do you like to go for holidays?

Mark King: Somewhere nice and hot and where's there is plenty for the kids to do.

Jason Harris: Do you practice with any of your fellow snooker players?

Mark King: Yes,fellow players come down sometimes we practice on our own too.

Joel Mack1: Who is the smelliest player on circuit and why?

Joe and Mark: Leo Fernandez !!!!!!!!

Mark King: He should be called B.O. Fernandez !!!!!!!

AAP ONLINE: Have you ever snookered naked ?

Mark King: No, PERVERT !

Ben mountford: whats your favourite soap opera? is it neighbours?

Joe Perry:No Eastenders 'cos Kat's lovely....

martin: Have either of you ever lost your rag during a game?

Mark King: Yes ..teddy Ruxpin!, too many to remember really.

Effren: what do you guys do if during a game you desperatley need to go to the toilet. do you throw the frame or wet yourself?

Mark King: Just tell the Ref you dopey sod !

Joe Perry: Just ask and leave.

Jeni dolan: Joe, what did you like and dislike most at school?

Joe Perry: Art and anything physical like CDT..I hated them

Dwaine Pipe: Who is the smallest player on the circuit?

Joe Perry: Depends if he means shortest or lightest ? Graeme Dott or John Reid I suppose....

John weatherett: Do you fancy Jimmy's chances against Stevens?

Mark King: No

Ben Archod: Which hair care products do you both use and why ?

Joe Perry: I don't I just shampoo.

BBC HOST: Mark rubs his head...

Mark King: I just use shower gel these days !

Andy Jones: would you guys feel under extra pressure if you had an army of fans like Jimmy White?

Joe Perry: Not a lot of chance of getting an army like that !

Ian barr: What is the daftest thing you have won?

Joe Perry: I won a trophy made out of nuts and bolts once !

Mark King: I don't have a clue ?

Nick Waters: Have either of you heard of a player called Les Dodd? When I was younger I was getting players autographs at the British Open in Plymouth and someone called Les Dodd signed my autograph book. I don't know if he was a hoax ?

Mark King: Yeah ! he own a fish and chips shop..Good card player and a great eater to boot !

Joel Mack1: Who is the better golfer out of you two and what are your handicaps?

Joe Perry:I havent got one I'm crap.....

Mark King: I'm off 21.2

Joe Perry: I Will be much better next year!

steak pie: Mark, do you wish you had a more glamorous job? you have way too much attitude for such a boring sport!

Mark King: Yes I wish I was a pro footy player and getting 50 large ones a week !

randall petersson: I'm thinking of taking up snooker but I'm colour blind have you got any tips?

Mark King: Don't go for the brown. Have a set of balls made that aren't red or brown or take up tiddlywinks !

AAP ONLINE: Hey guys, how is Alex higgins doing these days ? is he a hero for you ?

Joe Perry:Apparently he's much much better. He made snooker what it is today.

nick neophytou: Doesnt it get you down sometimes having to practice hours upon hours indoors without fresh air and some sun rays?

Mark King:Yes.. ..but that's our job.

chris: Mark, what is your total prize money?

Mark King: About six million £'s !

Snooker Baby: Mark, you're really aggressive in this chat!! Have you ever been/felt this aggressive in a match!?

Mark King:Yes ! and if I feel like throwing a teddy bear then someone can go and get it!

Dean: Do you think that Dominic Dale is a bit of a charachter??

Joe Perry: Nice bloke but not all the ticket! Spaceman is a very good nickname 'cos it suits him well!

Shad: Which sports person do you most admire?

Joe Perry: Mike Tyson..he's just the daddy!

BBC HOST: Said sarcastically, just for the record ;>)

Mark King: And Frank Bruno because he's talentless, can't box and he's got the stupidist personality in the world!

nick neophytou1: Who would you most not want to face in the final?

Mark King: Be very happy to reach the final so I care !

Joe Perry: Same for me.

dan fuller: Mark, have you ever been stopped for speeding?

Mark King:Yes,I was doing 88 in a 70mph.

Joe Perry: In a 30 mph zone !?

Mark King: I got banned for 6 months and got a four hundred quid fine. The Geezer before me was doing 60 in a 30 and he got a new car!

Ben Archod: Did either of you watch that weird 10 ball pool programme in the early 90's and what did you think of it?

Joe Perry: No, never heard of it ?

Mark King:Yes, I saw it.... very bad !

AAP ONLINE: Have one of you both played in Holland, and when will you come again ?

Joe Perry: Yes, I have.

Mark King: Not snooker ! I went home in a wheel chair !

Andy Jones: Outside your family, who has influenced you the most to get where you are today?

Mark King: My dad and Watching Jimmy White on the TV.

Joe Perry: And me too ..

john weatherett: Do you think Jimmy White will ever win the World Champs? - He certainly believes in himself and so do his fans.

Joe Perry:I think he's had his best chance. But hopefully he deserves it !

ben mountford: How many players smoke while playing?

Mark King: I'm not allowed to anymore. I sometimes have a sly one in the dressing room !

jimmy white: What is Steve Davis really like? - Is he boring ? Do u like him or hate him? - tell the TRUTH!

Mark King: I don't think he should be allowed !

Joe Perry: Nice bloke dry sense of humour.

Joel Mack1: Joe - What is the biggest margin you have lost by in a tournament?

Joe Perry: 5-0

BBC HOST: Mark reminds Joe of a bigger thrashing !

Joe Perry: Oh no it was 9-2 !

Mark King: Mine was probably 9-2 as well.

john walton: did snooker come easy when you were young or did you have to practise at it ?

Joe and Mark: Yeah !

Pink Panda: Mark, did you know that you look like Bruce Willis?!

Mark King: Are they referring to my bald head ? umm No...but thanks, I wish I had his money !

BBC HOST: Final word from the lads:

Mark King: It's been good fun , very relaxing and a good laugh !

Joe Perry: Enjoyed it..nice to get a different range of questions.

Mark King: And next time can we have a way of watching beautiful women ?

BBC Host: Well,what can I say ? that was interesting.... a couple of real characters there!