The Jock — two-time BDO World Champion and one of the most beloved and unlikely champions darts has ever produced. Wilson's chaotic personal life, legendary sessions and ferociously aggressive scoring style made him the sport's most compelling figure during the golden television era of the 1980s.
Jocky Wilson was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland on 22 March 1950. He came from a working-class Scottish background and discovered darts as an adult. He won the BDO World Championship in 1982 and 1989 — with a seven-year gap between the titles that speaks to the turbulent quality of his life and career. His aggressive, attacking darts game was built around high scoring and unpredictable throws, and his matches against Eric Bristow produced some of the most memorable darts television of the 1980s. His personality — warm, larger than life, entirely at ease with the attention his sport brought him — made him universally beloved. He retired from competitive darts in the early 1990s and died in 2012.
BDO World Championship victories and colorful personality
How They Played
Aggressive, entertaining style with strong finishing ability
Lasting Impact
One of darts' most beloved characters who brought entertainment and passion to the sport
BDO World Champion 1982, 1989
Wilson won his two World Championships seven years apart — the longest gap between consecutive titles of any two-time world champion in darts history.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- BDO World Champion 1982, 1989
- World Masters finalist
- Scotland international