Darryl Fitton
Encyclopedia
Darryl Fitton is an English professional darts player currently playing in BDO
events. He is nicknamed The Dazzler and comes to the stage dancing to the Madness
song "One Step Beyond
" wearing sunglasses. It is one of the most popular walk-ons with the audience. Before embarking on a career in darts, Fitton worked as an undertaker.
, who went on to win the title. The following year, he reached the semi-finals, this time losing out to Raymond van Barneveld
in a hard-fought 5-3 scoreline, as van Barneveld went on to win the title that year. After that, Darryl did not win a match at the World Championship for the next two years, losing to Martin Adams
and Phill Nixon
in the first round of the 2006 and 2007 championships respectively. Fitton did reach the final of the Winmau World Masters
in 2007, leading Robert Thornton
5-2 before Thornton hit back to win 7-5.
In the 2008 World Championship, Fitton got beyond the first round for the first time since 2005 when he bossed his match against Davy Richardson
, running out a 3-1 winner with a 94.86 average. In the second round he put in one of the most dominant performances of the World Championship when he averaged over 100 in a 4-0 hammering of Gary Robson. However he lost 5-1 in the quarter-finals to number-one seed (and eventual champion) Mark Webster
.
Darryl is known as a consistently high scorer, he once held the record for best average in a full, televised match. His 6-0 win against Davy Richardson in the 2004 International Darts League
saw him hit a three-dart average of 114.15. This was the highest three-dart average on a televised tournament, but has since been beaten in 2008 by Phil Taylor in his 9-3 victory over Wes Newton
at the UK Open with an average of 114.53.
Fitton reached the semi finals of the 2009 BDO World Championship
, beating Mark Salmon
in the first round and then defeated 12th seed Simon Whitlock
in round two. He followed up with a 5-4 win over fourth seed Scott Waites
before bowing out to his best mate Tony O'Shea
in a 6-4 defeat. Fitton then claimed the 2009 Dutch Open title, beating Willy van de Wiel
in the final and then the Isle of Man Open title, beating World Champion Ted Hankey in the final.
Fitton won the 2009 Zuiderduin Masters beating Martin Adams in the final 5-2. He also achieved the magic nine dart finish
against Ross Montgomery
and was given £4,000 which he donated to a local Charity. In the 2010 BDO World Championship, he was beaten by eventual finalist Dave Chisnall
3-1 in the first round.
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
events. He is nicknamed The Dazzler and comes to the stage dancing to the Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
song "One Step Beyond
One Step Beyond (song)
12" vinyl-Chart performance:-Song appearances:* It is used in the episode "I'm with the Band" of the 2000-2001 show Freaks and Geeks when one of the characters, Sam Weir, streaks around the school while trying to avoid showering after PE....
" wearing sunglasses. It is one of the most popular walk-ons with the audience. Before embarking on a career in darts, Fitton worked as an undertaker.
Darts career
Fitton debuted in the BDO World Championship in 2003 as a qualifier, and hit a 180 with his first three darts in his first round match before losing 1-3 to fellow qualifier John Burton. In 2004, he returned to Lakeside, again hitting a 180 score with his very first turn. He reached the quarter-finals before being beaten by Andy FordhamAndy Fordham
Andy "The Viking" Fordham is an English darts player. He won the 2004 BDO World Darts Championship, beating Mervyn King in the final...
, who went on to win the title. The following year, he reached the semi-finals, this time losing out to Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
in a hard-fought 5-3 scoreline, as van Barneveld went on to win the title that year. After that, Darryl did not win a match at the World Championship for the next two years, losing to Martin Adams
Martin Adams
Martin Adams is an English international darts player. Nicknamed Wolfie or Mr BDO, he is BDO world ranked number one, three-time and reigning BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion...
and Phill Nixon
Phill Nixon
Phillip Nixon is an English darts player from Ferryhill, County Durham. He is best known for reaching the 2007 World Final on his first appearance at the age of 50.-Darts career:...
in the first round of the 2006 and 2007 championships respectively. Fitton did reach the final of the Winmau World Masters
Winmau World Masters
The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running and most prestigious professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship...
in 2007, leading Robert Thornton
Robert Thornton (darts player)
Robert Thornton is a Scottish darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events after his switch from the BDO in May 2008. He won the prestigious Winmau World Masters in November 2007.-BDO career:...
5-2 before Thornton hit back to win 7-5.
In the 2008 World Championship, Fitton got beyond the first round for the first time since 2005 when he bossed his match against Davy Richardson
Davy Richardson
Davy Richardson is an English darts player currently playing in British Darts Organisation events. He is nicknamed The Face....
, running out a 3-1 winner with a 94.86 average. In the second round he put in one of the most dominant performances of the World Championship when he averaged over 100 in a 4-0 hammering of Gary Robson. However he lost 5-1 in the quarter-finals to number-one seed (and eventual champion) Mark Webster
Mark Webster (darts player)
Mark Webster is a left-handed Welsh darts player who lives in Denbigh. Known as Webby, he plays in Professional Darts Corporation events, having previously won the 2008 BDO World Championship. Mark became a full time professional in 2009, having previously been a fully qualified Gas registered...
.
Darryl is known as a consistently high scorer, he once held the record for best average in a full, televised match. His 6-0 win against Davy Richardson in the 2004 International Darts League
International Darts League
The Topic International Darts League was a darts tournament held at the Triavium in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Raymond van Barneveld dominated the tournament, held in his home country, winning it on three of the five occasions it was held...
saw him hit a three-dart average of 114.15. This was the highest three-dart average on a televised tournament, but has since been beaten in 2008 by Phil Taylor in his 9-3 victory over Wes Newton
Wes Newton
Wesley "Wes" Newton is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments.-Darts career:...
at the UK Open with an average of 114.53.
Fitton reached the semi finals of the 2009 BDO World Championship
2009 BDO World Darts Championship
The 2009 Lakeside World Professional Darts Championship was the 32nd World Championship organised by the British Darts Organisation. Mark Webster was the defending men's champion having won the title for the first time in last year's final against Simon Whitlock, but he was eliminated convincingly...
, beating Mark Salmon
Mark Salmon (darts player)
Mark Salmon is a Welsh darts player who competes in British Darts Organisation events. Salmon was inspired to play darts by Leighton Rees, the very first World Champion and plays with flights bearing Leighton's face in his honour....
in the first round and then defeated 12th seed Simon Whitlock
Simon Whitlock
Simon Whitlock is an Australian professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments, although he did have a spell playing in the rival organisation, the British Darts Organisation. He uses the nickname The Wizard for his matches...
in round two. He followed up with a 5-4 win over fourth seed Scott Waites
Scott Waites
Scott Waites is an English professional darts player who plays in tournaments organised by the British Darts Organisation.-Darts career:...
before bowing out to his best mate Tony O'Shea
Tony O'Shea
Tony O'Shea is an English darts player who competes in British Darts Organisation events. He was born in Stockport. His squat figure has resulted in the nickname Silverback. His walk-on music is "Hey Baby" by DJ Ötzi...
in a 6-4 defeat. Fitton then claimed the 2009 Dutch Open title, beating Willy van de Wiel
Willy van de Wiel
Willy van de Wiel is a Dutch darts player who plays in British Darts Organisation events.Willy won the 2008 Norway Open, beating Dave Chisnall, Stephen Bunting and John Henderson before beating Paul Hanvidge in the final...
in the final and then the Isle of Man Open title, beating World Champion Ted Hankey in the final.
Fitton won the 2009 Zuiderduin Masters beating Martin Adams in the final 5-2. He also achieved the magic nine dart finish
Nine dart finish
A nine-dart finish is the ultimate checkout in the game of darts, constituting a perfect game. It is notoriously difficult to achieve, even by the game's top professionals...
against Ross Montgomery
Ross Montgomery
Ross Montgomery is a Scottish darts player who plays for the British Darts Organisation. His nickname is The Boss.-Darts career:...
and was given £4,000 which he donated to a local Charity. In the 2010 BDO World Championship, he was beaten by eventual finalist Dave Chisnall
Dave Chisnall
Dave Chisnall is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events.- Personal Life :In September 2011 his girlfriend Michaela gave birth to his first daughter...
3-1 in the first round.
BDO World Championship results
- 2003: First round (lost to John Burton 1-3)
- 2004: Quarter Final (lost to Andy FordhamAndy FordhamAndy "The Viking" Fordham is an English darts player. He won the 2004 BDO World Darts Championship, beating Mervyn King in the final...
4-5) - 2005: Semi Final (lost to Raymond van BarneveldRaymond van BarneveldRaymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
3-5) - 2006: First round (lost to Martin AdamsMartin AdamsMartin Adams is an English international darts player. Nicknamed Wolfie or Mr BDO, he is BDO world ranked number one, three-time and reigning BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion...
1-3) - 2007: First round (lost to Phill NixonPhill NixonPhillip Nixon is an English darts player from Ferryhill, County Durham. He is best known for reaching the 2007 World Final on his first appearance at the age of 50.-Darts career:...
1-3) - 2008: Quarter Final (lost to Mark WebsterMark Webster (darts player)Mark Webster is a left-handed Welsh darts player who lives in Denbigh. Known as Webby, he plays in Professional Darts Corporation events, having previously won the 2008 BDO World Championship. Mark became a full time professional in 2009, having previously been a fully qualified Gas registered...
1-5) - 2009: Semi Final (lost to Tony O'SheaTony O'SheaTony O'Shea is an English darts player who competes in British Darts Organisation events. He was born in Stockport. His squat figure has resulted in the nickname Silverback. His walk-on music is "Hey Baby" by DJ Ötzi...
4-6) - 2010: First round (lost to Dave ChisnallDave ChisnallDave Chisnall is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events.- Personal Life :In September 2011 his girlfriend Michaela gave birth to his first daughter...
1-3) - 2011: First round (lost to Stuart KellettStuart KellettStuart Kellett is an English darts player.Kellett reached the last 16 of the 2007 Winmau World Masters, having beaten Andy Fordham among others on the way to the televised stages...
0-3)