There are few figures in darts who’ve left a mark quite like Bobby George — known as “The King of Darts,” he’s a man whose career spans from winning the BDO World Championship in 1980 to becoming a familiar face on television screens. This piece looks at his playing days, his choice to stay with the BDO when the PDC formed, and what he’s up to now—including a major health update from 2025.
Born: 16 December 1945 ·
Tournament wins: 17 ·
BDO World Championship titles: 1 (1980) ·
Career span: 1977–2009 ·
Nickname: The King of Darts
Quick snapshot
- Born 16 December 1945 in Manor Park, London, England (Wikipedia)
- Won the BDO World Championship in 1980 (Wikipedia)
- Total of 17 tournament wins across his career (The Telegraph)
- Exact current net worth is not publicly confirmed (Dartsfanetic)
- Specific current residence address not disclosed (Dartsfanetic)
- Full extent of his regret about the PDC decision is personal (Dartsfanetic)
- Specific date of heart surgery in 2025 not widely reported (Dartsfanetic)
- Career prize money (£70,620) may not reflect total income from endorsements (Dartsfanetic)
- 1945: Born in Manor Park, London (Dartsnieuws)
- 1980: Won BDO World Championship (Dartsnieuws)
- 2025: Underwent heart valve surgery (Dartsnieuws)
Eight facts about Bobby George, one pattern: a career built on major titles and later sustained by a strong media presence.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Francis George |
| Date of birth | 16 December 1945 |
| Place of birth | Manor Park, London, England |
| Nickname | The King of Darts |
| Career span | 1977–2009 |
| Notable title | BDO World Championship (1980) |
| Total tournament wins | 17 |
| Current status | Television presenter, public speaker |
What does Bobby George do now?
Bobby George is a television presenter and former professional darts player (Wikipedia). He continues to make public appearances and book speaking engagements, staying active in the darts community he helped shape.
George’s post-competition career shows how a strong personality can outlast tournament results: his media work keeps him relevant decades after his last competitive match.
Television presenting and public appearances
- Guest commentary for major darts broadcasts (Mirror (UK tabloid))
- Speaking engagements at darts exhibitions and charity events
Recent heart surgery in 2025
In July 2025, Bobby George underwent a heart procedure described as a TAVI operation to replace a faulty heart valve (Dartsnieuws). An urgent procedure was needed, and the surgery was successful. George later confirmed his recovery was going well (The Sun). The implication: at 79, George faced a serious health event but emerged with a clear recovery path, reinforcing his status as a resilient figure in the sport.
What did Bobby George win in darts?
George’s trophy cabinet includes 17 tournament wins, with the BDO World Championship in 1980 as the crown jewel (The Telegraph). He also won the News of the World Championship and the Butlins Grand Masters by the end of the 1970s (The Telegraph).
BDO World Championship (1980)
- Defeated 5-time champion Eric Bristow 5–3 in the final
- First World Championship title for George
List of 17 tournament wins
Dartsdatabase records his major titles at 5 and career titles at 7, with a 46.21% winning percentage from 132 matches (Darts Database (stats aggregator)).
The pattern: George’s cultural influence in darts outlasts his win-loss record, cementing his legacy beyond tournament statistics.
Why did Bobby George not join the PDC?
When the World Darts Council (later the PDC) broke away from the BDO in 1994, George chose to stay with the BDO (The Telegraph). This decision defined the second half of his playing career.
The 1994 split in darts
- The PDC formed when 16 top players left the BDO to create a rival organization
- George remained loyal to the BDO, continuing to play in its tournaments
Bobby George’s reasons for staying with BDO
He has since discussed his regret about that decision, acknowledging that joining the PDC could have extended his competitive earnings and visibility. The full extent of that regret remains personal (The Sun).
The trade-off: loyalty to the BDO preserved his legacy in the original organization but likely cost him the higher prize money and global platform the PDC later offered its players.
How much is Bobby George worth today?
No authoritative net worth figure is publicly disclosed for George (Dartsfanetic). Public estimates vary widely: some sources list $1 million to $5 million, others $1 million to $2.5 million (Sunday Report; Do Times).
Estimated net worth
- Dartsdatabase lists his career prize money at £70,620 (Darts Database)
- Online estimates range from $1 million to $5 million, but none are officially confirmed
Income sources after darts
- Television presenting and commentary work
- Public appearances and speaking engagements
- Sales of memorabilia and signed items
George’s earnings from media work likely far exceed his tournament prize money, but without public disclosure, any net worth figure is speculative.
The implication: any net worth estimate for George remains conjectural, as his media income is not publicly broken down.
Where does Bobby George live now?
Bobby George lives in England, though his specific current residence address is not widely published. He has been active in the darts community post-retirement, often attending exhibitions and charity events (The Telegraph).
Current residence
- Lives in England (exact location not publicly confirmed)
- Has been spotted at darts events across the UK
Lifestyle in retirement
- Active in the darts community through exhibitions and commentary
- Recent health event (heart surgery 2025) has not stopped his public engagements
The pattern: George’s retirement lifestyle mirrors his playing career—rooted in the UK but centred on darts, with a media profile that keeps him visible.
For darts fans tracking the sport’s history, George’s story illustrates how a single decision—staying with the BDO—can shape a career’s financial and competitive arc, even for a world champion.
Timeline
- 1945: Born in Manor Park, London (Wikipedia)
- 1977: Began professional darts career (The Telegraph)
- 1980: Won BDO World Championship (Wikipedia)
- 1994: Declined to join the PDC; remained with BDO (The Telegraph)
- 2009: Retired from competitive darts
- 2025: Underwent heart valve surgery (Dartsnieuws)
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Born 16 December 1945 (Wikipedia)
- Won BDO World Championship in 1980 (Wikipedia)
- Total 17 tournament wins (The Telegraph)
- Did not join PDC in 1994 (The Telegraph)
- Underwent heart surgery in July 2025 (Dartsnieuws)
What’s unclear
- Exact current net worth is not publicly confirmed (Dartsfanetic)
- Specific current residence address not disclosed
- Full extent of his regret about PDC decision is personal
- Specific date of heart surgery in 2025 not widely reported
- Career prize money (£70,620) may not reflect total income from endorsements
The picture: verified facts provide a solid foundation, but open questions about finances and personal details remain.
Quotes
“I’ve had a fantastic life in darts. I’ve met so many people and travelled the world.”
Bobby George (The Telegraph)
“Luke Littler could become the richest player in darts history if he stays focused.”
Bobby George (Mirror)
George also reflected on his PDC decision: “I probably should have gone. But you can’t change the past.” (The Sun) – a sentiment that underscores the personal weight of that career choice.
Bobby George’s legacy in darts is secure: a world champion, a television personality, and a figure whose career choices—particularly the 1994 PDC decision—offer a case study in loyalty versus opportunity. For the modern darts fan, the question isn’t just what he won, but what the sport might have looked like had he taken a different path. For George himself, the trade-off is clear: he chose the BDO and a unique media career over the PDC’s financial boom, and that choice defined his story.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bobby George still alive?
Yes, Bobby George is alive as of 2026. He underwent heart valve surgery in July 2025 and has publicly stated his recovery is going well (The Sun).
How old is Bobby George?
Bobby George was born on 16 December 1945, making him 80 years old as of 2026 (Wikipedia).
Where was Bobby George born?
He was born in Manor Park, London, England (Wikipedia).
How many world titles did Bobby George win?
He won one BDO World Championship, in 1980 (Wikipedia).
What is Bobby George’s real name?
His full name is Robert Francis George (Wikipedia).
Who is the biggest drinker in darts?
While darts has a history of heavy drinkers, no official record exists. Bobby George himself has spoken about the drinking culture in the sport but no single player is definitively known as the “biggest drinker” (The Telegraph).
Was Eric Bristow a heavy smoker?
Eric Bristow was known to smoke, but specific medical details about his smoking habits are not widely documented in public sources. He was famously known as “The Crafty Cockney” and was a major figure in darts (Wikipedia).
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.