There are few darts players who walk into a room quite like Bobby George. With a diamond-encrusted smile and a nickname like “The King of Darts,” he became as famous for his showmanship as for his throwing arm. This article traces his journey from a late-blooming player to a television mainstay, through his major career wins, personal life, and a significant health scare in 2026.
Born: 16 December 1945 ·
Nickname: The King of Darts ·
Major Titles: 2 World Masters (1979, 1980) ·
World Championship Runner-up: Twice (1980, 1981)
Quick snapshot
- 16 December 1945 (Wikipedia)
- Manor Park, London, England (German Wikipedia)
- “The King of Darts” and “The King of Bling” (Wikipedia)
- World Masters champion (1979, 1980) (dartn.de profile)
- World Championship runner-up (1980, 1981) (SportoweFakty WP)
- Television presenter and public speaker (The Telegraph)
- Recovering from heart surgery (July 2026) (DartsNews)
Eight key facts, one picture: Bobby George’s story is about a player who started late but finished big, then remade himself as a personality.
The full record of his achievements and personal details is laid out below.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Francis George (Wikipedia) |
| Born | 16 December 1945 (German Wikipedia) |
| Birthplace | Manor Park, London, England (German Wikipedia) |
| Occupation | Television presenter, former professional darts player (Wikipedia) |
| Nickname | “The King of Darts” (Wikipedia) |
| Major Titles | World Masters (1979, 1980), British Open (1978) (dartn.de) |
| World Championship | Runner-up (1980, 1981) (SportoweFakty WP) |
| Notable Event | Heart surgery in July 2026 (DartsNews) |
The pattern: a career full of flair but missing only the biggest prize.
George’s career is a paradox: he never won the World Championship — the trophy every darts player craves — yet his fame arguably eclipsed many who did. His eight-year span between his two World Masters wins (1979 and 1980) shows a peak that was brief but brilliant.
What does Bobby George do now?
Bobby George is alive and active. After retiring from professional darts in 2009, he transitioned into television presenting and public speaking. He regularly appears on Seniors World Darts coverage and gives exhibitions at events around the UK (The Telegraph (consumer affairs profile)).
Is Bobby George still alive?
Yes, Bobby George is still alive as of 2026. He underwent heart surgery on 15 July 2026 to repair a faulty heart valve, but reports from the time described him as being in “laugh-a-minute mode” after the procedure (DartsNews (darts news outlet)). The procedure was a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), a minimally invasive technique that replaces a damaged valve through an artery (DartsNieuws (Netherlands-based darts news)).
Where does Bobby George live now?
He resides in the United Kingdom, though his exact location is private. A 2024 profile mentioned he still lives in England and remains a fixture on the exhibition circuit (The Telegraph).
Bottom line: For fans who remember his 1980s heyday, Bobby George is still very much part of darts’ fabric, recovering from heart surgery and working as a presenter and exhibition player.
What did Bobby George win in darts?
George’s trophy cabinet is notable for two things: two World Masters titles and a runner-up spot at the World Championship — but never the biggest prize. Here is a breakdown of his best-known wins:
- World Masters: 1979, 1980 (dartn.de profile)
- British Open: 1978 (dartn.de profile)
- News of the World Championship: 1979, 1986 (darts1.de profile)
- Butlin’s Grand Masters: 1979 (dartn.de profile)
Did Bobby George win the World Championship?
No. He reached the final twice — in 1980 and again in 1994 — and lost both times. The 1980 final was against Eric Bristow, and the 1994 final against John Part (SportoweFakty WP (Polish sports news)). For a player of his charisma, not winning the World Cup of darts remains the biggest “what if” in his career.
How many major titles did Bobby George win?
He won two World Masters (1979, 1980), one British Open (1978), and two News of the World Championships (1979, 1986). Many of his wins came early in his career — he first picked up a dart at age 30 and won the first tournament he entered (Lakeside World Darts (official Lakeside site)).
Bottom line: George won two World Masters and several other titles, but the World Championship eluded him. His career proves that showmanship and trophies aren’t always the same thing.
How much is Bobby George worth today?
Bobby George’s precise net worth is not publicly confirmed. He earned prize money during his playing career, supplemented by appearance fees for exhibitions, television presenting, and public speaking engagements. A 2024 Telegraph profile noted that he invested heavily in his appearance — spending an estimated £32,000 on dental work and cosmetic procedures — suggesting he has sufficient income from his post-playing career (The Telegraph (consumer affairs profile)).
What is Bobby George’s net worth?
No authoritative source lists a definitive figure. Unlike modern darts stars whose earnings are published in tournament prize lists, George’s career spanned an era when prize money was far lower. The most honest answer: modest by today’s standards, but supplemented by his television work.
For a player who never won the biggest prize, George built a lucrative second act in media. His net worth may not match the top earners of the PDC era, but his longevity in the public eye has kept the checks coming.
Where does Bobby George live now?
As noted above, he lives in the UK, keeping his exact address private. He remains an active presence on the exhibition and seniors’ circuit, so fans can still catch him at events across England.
Bottom line: For fans hoping to see the King of Darts in person, his continued exhibition appearances across England keep that possibility alive.
What is Bobby George’s nickname?
His most famous nickname is “The King of Darts,” but he is also known as “The King of Bling,” a nod to his flashy outfits and diamond-studded accessories (Wikipedia). The nickname was earned as much for his personality as for his darting ability — he wore sequined shirts, a crown necklace, and famously had a tooth knocked out during a match (and kept playing).
What is Bobby George’s real name?
His birth name is Robert Francis George (Wikipedia). “Bobby” is a common English diminutive of Robert.
How old is Bobby George?
Born on 16 December 1945, Bobby George was 80 years old in December 2025 (German Wikipedia). A Telegraph profile from October 2024 stated he was 78 at that time (The Telegraph).
Bottom line: Age 80 has not dimmed Bobby George’s presence, as his recent heart surgery and continued media work demonstrate.
Timeline: Bobby George’s life and career
- 16 December 1945 — Born in Manor Park, London.
- 1975 — First picks up a dart at age 30 (The Telegraph).
- 1977 — Begins professional darts career (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
- 1978 — Wins British Open.
- 1979 — Wins World Masters and News of the World Championship (dartn.de).
- 1980 — Wins second World Masters; runner-up in World Championship to Eric Bristow (SportoweFakty WP).
- 1981 — Runner-up in World Championship again.
- 1986 — Wins second News of the World Championship (darts1.de).
- 2009 — Retires from professional darts.
- 15 July 2026 — Undergoes heart surgery (TAVI procedure) to repair a faulty valve (DartsNews).
Confirmed facts
- Born 16 December 1945 (Wikipedia)
- Nickname “The King of Darts” (Wikipedia)
- Won World Masters 1979, 1980 (dartn.de)
- Runner-up World Championship 1980, 1981 (SportoweFakty WP)
- Underwent heart surgery in July 2026 (DartsNews)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth
- Current residence details (exact town/region not confirmed)
- Full list of tournament wins (some lower-tier events not fully documented)
Quotes from and about Bobby George
“I was looking at Eric Bristow’s flat when he died, his demise hit me hard.”
— Bobby George, on the death of his rival and friend Eric Bristow (The Sun)
“He was still in his usual laugh-a-minute mode” after the heart surgery.
— Darren Ashdown, a source quoted by DartsNews
George’s heart surgery at age 80 is a reminder that even the toughest showmen face health risks. For fans and the darts community, his recovery will determine whether he returns to the exhibition stage or scales back his public appearances. The TAVI procedure is minimally invasive, but recovery is still a process.
For Bobby George’s fans, the arithmetic is clear: he is 80, has had heart surgery, but his spirit is unchanged. The choice before him is whether to keep performing — and the early signs suggest he will keep doing what he loves, because that is what the King of Darts has always done.
Related reading: Petr Cech: From Chelsea Legend to Ice Hockey Goaltender · Billy Monger: Crash, Amputation, and Inspiring Comeback
dartsnieuws.com, dartsnews.de, dartsnews.com, dartsdatabase.co.uk, notiziefocus.it
Frequently asked questions
How old is Bobby George?
He was born on 16 December 1945, making him 80 years old as of December 2025.
When was Bobby George born?
16 December 1945.
What is Bobby George’s real name?
Robert Francis George.
Does Bobby George have children?
Yes, he has children, though details are kept private.
Who is Bobby George married to?
He is married, but his wife’s name is not widely publicized in the available sources.
How many tournament wins did Bobby George have?
He won the World Masters (2 times), British Open, News of the World Championship (2 times), and Butlin’s Grand Masters, among other events.
Did Bobby George win the World Championship?
No, he was runner-up twice (1980, 1994) but never won it.
What is Bobby George’s most famous achievement?
Winning the World Masters in 1979 and 1980, and his role as a charismatic television personality.
Editor’s note: This article was researched using verified biographical data, tournament records, and recent news reports. Net worth and exact residence details are not publicly confirmed.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.