Darts ace, Jocky Wilson dies, 62

[Englishboy]

Two-time world darts champion Jocky Wilson died on Saturday night, Fife police have confirmed.

Wilson, 62, turned professional in 1979 and rose to fame after he claimed the 1982 and 1989 World Championships.

A Fife police spokesperson told the BBC: "The death is non-suspicious and due to a medical matter."

The Kirkcaldy-native had recently been suffering with the lung disorder chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

Fife emergency services were called to his home in the town at 2100 GMT but he was deceased at the scene when an ambulance arrived.

Wilson's career saw him challenge Englishman Eric Bristow and John Lowe for the sport's major honours before his retirement in 1995.

His first victory in the World Championship came in 1982 when he beat Lowe 5-3 in the final.

Seven years later, he beat his other great rival Bristow 6-4, in a match where the "Crafty Cockney" had recovered from 5-0 down to find himself at 5-4 and 2-2 in the tenth set.

From his debut at the World Championship in 1979 until 1991, Wilson managed to reach at least the quarter-finals of the tournament on every single occasion.

Wilson also lifted the British Professional Championship four-times between 1981 and 1988, as well as the British Open and Matchplay titles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/darts/17503460

[Swami]

Very sad news. Jocky Wilson was a brilliant player in his time and was a part of a golden era of players - Bristow, Lowe, Lazarenko, George, Deller and eventually Taylor coming through.

Swami

[Ome]

62 is no age to go...


I remember when they put his picture up on TOTP back when Dexy's Midnight Runners were on singing to 'Jackie Wilson Said.'

[bhvictory]

Excellent darts player - always performed well on Jim Bowen's Bullseye too on the charity dart throwing. RIP Jocky!

[Swami]

Excellent darts player - always performed well on Jim Bowen's Bullseye too on the charity dart throwing. RIP Jocky!

He was hard to beat when he was on top form.

Swami

[Barbara Fan]

Thats a shame, he was a bit of a character in the game of darts and yes Ome I always think of TOTP as well - Jackie/Jocky Wilson - no difference at all

[Swami]

One of the best stories about Jocky Wilson was during one Christmas Bullseye - he and Eric Bristow appeared and one of the celebrities was Rod Hull (with Emu, of course). Bristow wasn't amused with Rod Hull at all and threatened to "put him down - or words to that effect - if he started messing about. To which Jocky added, "And I'll put the bird down as well!".

Swami