John Lowe’s net worth is estimated at £500,000–£1 million as of 2026. The Derbyshire-born darts legend, universally known as “Old Stoneface” for his unflappable composure at the oche, won the BDO World Darts Championship three times — in 1979, 1987, and 1993 — and cemented his place in sporting history by completing the first-ever televised nine-dart finish in October 1984. That single perfect leg earned him a cheque for £102,000, more than most darts players saw in an entire career.
| Full Name | John Thomas Lowe MBE |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 21 July 1945 |
| Age | 80 years old (2026) |
| Birthplace | New Tupton, Derbyshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Former Professional Darts Player, Author |
| Net Worth | £500,000–£1 Million (2026 estimate) |
| Known For | 3x BDO World Champion; first televised nine-dart finish |
| Nickname | Old Stoneface |
| Honours | MBE (2010) |
John Lowe’s Net Worth Breakdown — Where the Money Came From
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament Prize Money (career) | ~£396,000 | Cumulative | Career PDC/BDO prize earnings; smaller purses than modern era |
| Nine-Dart Finish Bonus (1984) | £102,000 | One-time (personal) | ITV special prize for the first televised perfect leg — a single payment |
| Endorsements & Sponsorships | £20–50K/year (peak) | Annual (personal) | Darts equipment deals, exhibition matches throughout career |
| Books & Royalties | £30–60K (cumulative) | Cumulative | Old Stoneface (2005), The Art of Darts (2009) |
| Speaking Engagements | £5–10K/year | Annual (personal) | Corporate events, darts exhibitions, after-dinner speaking |
| Estimated Total Net Worth | £500,000–£1 Million (2026) | ||
Early Life: From the Coalfields to the Dartboard
John Thomas Lowe was born on 21 July 1945 in New Tupton, a small mining village in Derbyshire, England. Growing up in post-war industrial England, Lowe came from a working-class background shaped by the coal industry that dominated the region. Like many young men of his generation in the East Midlands, he was introduced to darts in the local pub circuit, where the game was woven into the fabric of community life.
Lowe showed natural talent from an early age. His controlled, methodical throwing style — which would earn him the “Old Stoneface” moniker — was evident even in amateur competition. He turned professional in the 1970s, a period when darts was beginning to transition from pub pastime to televised sport, and he was among the founding generation of players who helped make that transformation possible.
Career Rise: Three World Titles and a Perfect Nine
John Lowe’s career arc tracks the golden age of British darts. He won his first BDO World Darts Championship in 1979 at Wembley, becoming one of the sport’s earliest household names at a time when darts broadcasts were drawing millions of viewers to BBC television. He would return to win the title again in 1987 and 1993, the second title making him 41 years old — an age at which most sportspeople have long since retired.
But the moment that defined John Lowe beyond all others came on 13 October 1984 during the World Masters at Slough. Playing against Kirk Stevens, Lowe threw a perfect nine-dart finish: T20, T20, T20, T20, T20, T20, T20, T20, D12. ITV cameras were rolling. It was the first nine-dart finish ever broadcast on television, and Lowe collected the specially laid-on prize of £102,000 — a staggering sum for the era. The moment was replayed thousands of times over subsequent decades and remains one of the most celebrated achievements in darts history.
Lowe was also a prominent figure in the split that gave birth to the PDC (then the WDC) in 1993, having been one of the 16 players — the “Crafty Cockney” rebels — who broke from the BDO. This split fundamentally reshaped professional darts and created the two-tier structure that still exists today.
Personal Life
John Lowe has been married to Karen Lowe and the couple have built a long life together through the ups and downs of a professional darts career spanning more than three decades. He was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to the sport of darts, recognition of the pivotal role he played in bringing darts to a national audience. Now in his eighties, Lowe remains active in the darts community through interviews, the Sky Sports documentary series Dart Kings (2025), and appearances at major tournaments.
Lowe has also authored two books that give an insider’s perspective on the BDO era: Old Stoneface: The Autobiography (2005) and The Art of Darts (2009), the latter being a technical guide to the sport that draws on his decades of experience.
Net Worth Over Time
John Lowe’s wealth accumulated slowly by modern standards. In the 1970s and 1980s, darts prize money was modest compared to today’s PDC purses — his entire career earnings before the nine-dart finish were well under £100,000. The £102,000 windfall from the 1984 perfect leg was therefore transformative, representing more than his total previous prize income in a single afternoon. Post-career, book royalties, speaking engagements, and exhibition matches have maintained his financial position. By 2026, his net worth is estimated in the £500,000–£1 million range.
Five Things You Might Not Know About John Lowe
- His nine-dart finish in 1984 came while he was 39 years old — not a young athlete in peak physical condition, but a seasoned veteran who had played thousands of competitive legs.
- Lowe was one of the original 16 players who broke from the BDO to form the WDC (later PDC) in 1993, helping to revolutionise professional darts.
- He won his third world title at age 47, making him one of the oldest world champions in any mainstream professional sport.
- The nickname “Old Stoneface” came from his complete lack of visible emotion while throwing — commentators noted he looked the same whether he’d just thrown a 180 or a 26.
- He received his MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, 26 years after his greatest sporting achievement.
What is John Lowe’s net worth in 2026?
John Lowe’s net worth is estimated at between £500,000 and £1 million as of 2026. His wealth was built through three BDO world title wins, career prize earnings totalling around £396,000, and the famous £102,000 nine-dart finish bonus from 1984. Post-career income from books, speaking, and exhibitions has maintained his financial position.
How many world titles did John Lowe win?
John Lowe won three BDO World Darts Championships — in 1979, 1987, and 1993. His 1993 title came at age 47, making him one of the oldest world champions in any professional sport. Only Phil Taylor (16 world titles) has a more decorated record in darts history.
What was John Lowe’s famous nine-dart finish?
On 13 October 1984 at the World Masters in Slough, John Lowe threw the first-ever nine-dart finish to be broadcast on live television. He checked out with T20, T20, T20 — T20, T20, T20 — T20, T20, D12, closing on the same day as Kirk Stevens was also playing. ITV had set up a special prize of £102,000 for a televised nine-darter, and Lowe claimed every penny.
Why is John Lowe called Old Stoneface?
John Lowe earned the nickname “Old Stoneface” because of his complete composure and lack of visible emotion while competing at the oche. Whether he was throwing a maximum 180 or a poor scoring leg, his facial expression remained unchanged — a stone-faced calm that commentators found both remarkable and slightly unnerving. The nickname stuck throughout his career and into retirement.
Did John Lowe win an MBE?
Yes, John Lowe was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2010 for his services to the sport of darts. The honour recognised his three world championship wins, his role in establishing professional darts as a mainstream television sport in the UK, and his lasting contribution to the game over more than three decades.
When did John Lowe retire from professional darts?
John Lowe gradually stepped back from competitive professional darts through the late 1990s and early 2000s after his third world title in 1993. He remained active in exhibition circuits for several years and has continued to make occasional media appearances, including in the Sky Sports documentary series Dart Kings in 2025, which profiles the legends of the BDO era.
How much did John Lowe earn from darts?
John Lowe’s career prize money totalled approximately £396,000 across his competitive career — modest by today’s PDC standards, where world champions can earn millions. However, his 1984 nine-dart finish bonus of £102,000 was by far the largest single payment in the history of the sport at that time, and it added significantly to his total lifetime earnings from darts.