Darryl Fitton

Darryl Fitton (born 5 May 1962 in Stockport, England) 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.

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 Fordham, 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.

BDO World Championship results

• 2003: First round (lost to John Burton 1-3)
• 2004: Quarter Final (lost to Andy Fordham 4-5)
• 2005: Semi Final (lost to Raymond van Barneveld 3-5)
• 2006: First round (lost to Martin Adams 1-3)
• 2007: First round (lost to Phill Nixon 1-3)
• 2008: Quarter Final (lost to Mark Webster 1-5)
• 2009: Semi Final (lost to Tony O'Shea 4-6)
• 2010: First round (lost to Dave Chisnall 1-3)
• 2011: First round (lost to Stuart Kellett 0-3)

Personal life

Darryl is divorced with two daughters and two grandchildren. He is still good friends with his ex-wife Samantha.

External links

• Darryl Fitton's Official Website
• Profile and stats on Darts Database