SHAUN MURPHY wants to host ‘Big Break’ if the BBC ever make a reboot.
The old version of the show – which blended quizzing with snooker – ran from 1991 to 2002.
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Shaun Murphy has put himself forward to host Big Break if it ever comes back to TV screens Credit: Alamy
Jim Davidson (left) and John Virgo (right) hosted Big Break between 1991 and 2002 Credit: BBC
It was hosted by comedian Jim Davidson and the late, great John Virgo, who died in February at the age of 79.
Murphy, 43, reckons bringing it back would be a fitting tribute to ‘JV’, and revealed that he might be in the frame if BBC bosses are tempted.
The world No8 is still an active player and is in the quarter-finals of this year’s World Snooker Championship.
But he is also a regular on the BBC punditry panel and confident in front of the cameras.
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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 all of our childhoods.
“I was actually in conversation many, 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 the conversation.
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Zhao Xintong arrives in Sheffield as the reigning champion and he will look to break a 49-year curse and lift the trophy again.
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“Not sure where that conversation went, but it’s not on the screen yet.
“If it were to come back and they came calling, I’m in. If I get asked, I’m doing it!”
Murphy tipped either Paddy McGuinness or Vernon Kay to co-host a possible remake of a show that brings back fond childhood memories for him.
He said: “I went on Junior Big Break. That was a little spin-off they did, and I remember I had to dress up as JV.
“The make-up department stuck an old beard on me, and I had to walk out and pretend to say, ‘pot as many balls as you can!’ I was only 11 or 12.”
