Legend of darts Jocky Wilson dies aged 62

A spokeswoman for Fife Police said Wilson dies at his home in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, on Saturday evening.

Wilson, who won world titles in 1982 and 1989, had recently been suffering with the lung disorder chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

A statement on the official Professional Darts Corporation’s Twitter page read: “We are very saddened to hear of the death of former World Champion Jocky Wilson. Simply devastated.”

Wilson turned professional in 1979 and enjoyed a stellar career through to his retirement in 1996.

He reached at least the quarter-finals of every World Championship between 1979 and 1991 and was a four-time British champion between 1981 and 1988 and a three-time Scottish Masters champion.

PDC Tournament Director Tommy Cox, who managed Wilson from 1988 to 1996, said: “Jocky transcended the whole spectrum of life in the UK – in the 1980s there wasn’t a person in the country who didn’t know who Jocky Wilson was and, even though he hasn’t thrown a dart since 1996, it’s probably the same now.”

Two time World Championship runner-up Bobby George wrote on his Twitter page: “Farewell John Thomas (Jocky) Wilson. We had some great times together will never forget you and your toothless grin! “.

Current PDC star Wayne Mardle Tweeted: “What a character. I loved watching him play.”