RaspberryLucozade Controversial comedian Jim Davidson surprised audiences in the early '90's by putting his blue stand-up persona on hold in favour of family entertainment. He first rose to this task in 1991 when he was chosen to host this wonderful snooker based BBC1 game show 'Big Break', along with deadpan snooker player John ''You've got to pot as many balls as you can!'' Virgo. The basis for the show was a mixture of snooker playing and general knowledge, though unsurprisingly, some stand-up comedy routines found their way in the show, For instance, Jim would on occassion make light hearted jibes towards John Virgo such as when Jim remarked: ''I gave John a birthday cake once and he ate it so quick that I had to prize his mouth open to blow the candles out!''. Jim also made fun of his personal life, in particular his numerous marriages and driving offences.During each half hour there were four rounds that the players and contestants would have to complete - 'Red Hot' ( which was a general knowledge round ), 'Virgo's Trick Shot' ( in which Virgo would set up a trick shot for the contestant who was losing ), 'Pocket Money' ( in which each ball that was potted was worth a particular amount of money ) and 'Make Or Break ( which was a prize winning round ).Regardless of whether the players or contestants lost, they would go home with at least a 'Big Break' trophy and a snooker cue.With its fantastic theme music provided by Captain Sensible, wonderful comic hosting from both Virgo and Davidson. 'Big Break' is a prime example of when game shows used to be good fun back in the '90's. Unlike in today's game shows, all those involved looked as though they were having a right good time, something that seemed to be communicated to the studio audience. Such was the show's success that the BBC later tried another sport themed game show entitled 'Full Swing' ( hosted by the insufferable Jimmy Tarbuck ). It flopped!'Big Break' ran up until 2002 before it was cancelled. Thankfully, there have been no attempts to remake the show with a new host. Say what you will about Jim, but when he was doing this sort of stuff, television was a much happier place.

Big Movie Fan My favourite sport to play is snooker. I also like general knowledge quiz shows so combine the two and I am one happy chap.The entertaining comedian Jim Davidson teamed up with former snooker player John Virgo to present this entertaining snooker game show in which three snooker players would team up with three contestants each week.The first game went like this-the three contestants would answer general knowledge questions in order to win seconds on the clock for the snooker players. The players would then try to pot as many balls as they could. The player who potted the least balls in 60 seconds would be knocked out along with the contestant.The second game went like this-the players would try to pot as many balls as they could, each ball worth a particular value (such as £20). The player who potted the least money for his contestant would be knocked out. One contestant left (but not before the defeated contestant would attempt one of John Virgo's trick shots).The last game was the best (obviously). Each ball corresponded to a prize. A red ball for example may have won the contestant a microwave. Higher balls such as the brown ball may have won the contestant a large cash sum. The player would try and pot all the balls; if the black ball was cleared within a particular time, the contestant would win a mystery star prize (either a car or a holiday). Well, that was Big Break for you. Those were the games in between Davidson and Virgo's banter.If you like snooker and you like game shows, this is the show for you.

Chris Horry If you can avoid the scenes where Jim Davison is trying to be funny, it's actually a pretty entertaining show. The real stars are the guest snooker players showing off their skills and Jim Virgo's trick shots.

baz-15 Popular tv game show where star snooker players try to win money for normal people. it is hosted by none other than jim davidson, one of the most unfunny comedians of the last 30 years. john virgo, former player and current tv commentator, picks the balls out of the pockets. Awful.