Bobby George revolutionized darts by chalking out a regal image and nicknaming himself as ‘The King of Darts.’
His spoof with a crown on his head wearing a cloak along with Queen’s ‘We are the champions’ backing made the game more interesting and popular to many.
George was really social, having that big character and charisma that played an important role in making darts popular among people especially in 1978 and 1980s during which he gave many impressive victories.
Late Start in Darts
Bobby George did not begin practicing darts until he was thirty years old. He started earning fame and was a successful musician in the late seventies and early eighties.
He had to improve quickly to be able to establish himself at the elite level but with natural ability and determination he did it.
Some proved to be successful championships such as News of the World Championship in 1979 and in 1986 meaning he can excel in a new field later in his career.
Meteoric Rise to Fame
Bobby George rose to stardom as a darts player in the late 1970s and brought alive News of the World Darts Championship in 1979 which he won without dropping a single leg in the course thereby popularizing televised FREES DARTS.
He also had a chance in the final of BDO World Darts Championship the same year 1980 and faced Eric Bristow.
He may not have won but he made it big and popularized darts, which is now one of the most famous sports.
Iconic Victories
Bobby George’s wins at the News of the World Darts Championship in 1979 and 1986 are important in his career.
His 1979 win was special because he was the only player to win without losing a leg, showing his great skill and control.
He had an average of 100.20, which was a record on TV. This win made George a top player and increased darts’ popularity.
In 1986, he won again, adding to his legacy. These victories showed his steady performance and made him a well-known figure in darts.
Memorable Matches
Bobby George’s famous games, especially his showdown with Eric Bristow in the 1980 BDO World Championship final, are remembered for their intense competition and exciting matches.
This final was George’s first in a World Championship, where he dominated the game, even leading by 3-2 in sets.
But Bristow, nicknamed “The Crafty Cockney,” won 5-3 after George missed key chances to win.
The match is also known for George’s flashy entrance and style, which added a new level of fun to darts.
Showmanship and Charisma
Bobby George had a high ‘dramatic ‘ profile and his pyrotechnical arrivals on the field gave darts a new style.
Aside from that, his way of performing “We Are the Champions” and using a costume and some items in the start also helped in making the sport interesting.
Amazing personality and fantastic appearance secured him the nickname “King of Darts” and created the atmosphere that popularized darts and attracted the attention of new audiences.
In addition to the skills and techniques in darts, George exhibited a persona and character that saw him embrace culture and be one of the best entertainers in the darts.
Transition to Television Personality
Bobby George moved smoothly from being a successful darts player to becoming a popular TV host and expert.
Since 1998, he has been a co-host on the BBC’s coverage of big darts events, like the BDO World Championship, where his lively comments and knowledge have made him well-liked by fans.
His energetic personality and style have made watching darts more enjoyable and helped more people get into the sport.
Besides the BBC, George has been on other TV shows like “Bullseye,” “They Think It’s All Over,” and “Celebrity Fit Club,” growing his audience and cementing his role as a fun entertainer.
His knack for making people laugh and connect has kept him a key figure in darts, helping to make the sport more appealing to the general public.
Personal Life and Family
Bobby George’s family is a big part of who he is in public. He’s been married to Marie since 1987 and they have two sons, Robert and Richard.
They live in a big, 18-bedroom house Bobby built himself, showing how much he cares about his family home.
Bobby’s son, Richie, used to play darts professionally and even made it to the semi-finals of a big championship in 2013.
This family connection makes Bobby look even more like a family man, which fans really like.
Bobby’s life is stable and supportive, which makes him a great role model for balancing his work as a darts champion with his personal life values.
Health Challenges and Resilience
Bobby George had many health issues during his darts career, especially a bad back injury from the 1994 BDO World Championship.
In the quarter-finals, he broke his back while celebrating a win against Kevin Kenny but still managed to win the match.
In the semi-finals, he was two sets ahead but lost the next four. Despite this, he won nine straight legs to win the match.
In the final, he played with a broken back and lost to John Part. A few weeks later, it was found out he had a serious back injury and needed surgery to fix it.
George’s determination to keep playing despite the pain shows his love for the sport and his strong will.
Recognition and Awards
On the same note, another player that has gained recognition is Bobby George who is a darts player and he has a number of awards to his name.
He has been the News of the World darts Championship, in 1979 and in 1986, Butlin’s Grand Masters in 1979 and 1980.
In 1982, he clinched the WDF Europe Cup, Singles and the Team event. These achievements clearly demonstrate that George was a very successful and well regarded player.
In fact, despite never being able to win the World Championship, he proved that he was a good enough player to compete with the world’s elite by placing second in 1980 and 1994.
George is also famous for the over-excitement he creates as well as making the game more enthusiastic.
Bobby George is a darts player who was flamboyant, stylish and very good at what he did.
He was not involved from the beginning and that is why he did not struggle with anonymity as he began performing at the highest level and providing many interesting and bright matches, and changing the culture of the sport.
