Virgo turned professional in 1976. His snooker-playing fortunes peaked in 1979 when he reached the semi-final of the World Championship and went on to win the 1979 UK Championship (though this was not a ranking event at the time). His UK Championship win came despite his controversially docked two frames because of a miscommunication regarding the start time of the next session of play. He reached number 10 in the rankings the next season.

Virgo, as part of his exhibition performances, had long performed trick shots and comedic impressions of other snooker players. During the 1982 World Championship, after one semi-final had finished early, he performed some of his impressions, such as of Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths and Dennis Taylor. He repeated this act in the 1985 World Championship after both semi-finals ended earlier than expected.

Virgo retired from professional play in 1995. He is now a TV snooker commentator who works primarily during the BBC's coverage of ranking events. Virgo was co-presenter of the snooker-based TV game show Big Break with comedian Jim Davidson. During each show, Virgo participates in the "trick shots" segment, where a competitor who had been ousted from the main quiz would try to copy a complicated snooker shot performed by Virgo in order to win a prize.

Non-Ranking

• UK Championship — 1979

Virgo lives in Hersham, Surrey, where he is the president of the Hersham Village Golf Club. He has one adult daughter and one adult son. Virgo was once gunged on Noel's House Party.