When John Lowe stepped up to the oche at the MFI World Matchplay in Slough on 13 October 1984, he had already won one world title and was well on his way to becoming one of the most respected names in professional darts. What happened next put him in the history books forever — a perfect nine-dart finish, the first ever captured on live television, witnessed by millions. The £102,000 prize he collected that evening remains one of the most dramatic pay-days in darts history and a defining moment in the sport’s journey from pub pastime to prime-time entertainment.
John Lowe’s trademark composure under pressure earned him the nickname “Old Stoneface” — three world titles across three different decades are the result.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | John Lowe |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 21 July 1945 |
| Age | 80 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | New Tupton, Derbyshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Professional Darts Player (retired) |
| Net Worth | £1–2 Million (estimated 2026) |
| Known For | Three BDO World Championships, first televised nine-dart finish |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
John Lowe was born on 21 July 1945 in New Tupton, a small mining village in Derbyshire. He took up darts as a young man — a common pastime in working-class England — and quickly demonstrated a talent that would take him far beyond the village pub circuit. He worked as a carpenter before turning professional, and his steady, methodical temperament at the oche earned him the nickname “Old Stoneface” — a reflection of the impassive expression he wore when throwing, no matter the pressure or the stakes.
He turned professional in the early 1970s and rapidly became a fixture on the BDO circuit, which by the mid-1970s was attracting serious television coverage and building darts into one of Britain’s most-watched sports. Lowe had the consistency and mental fortitude to compete at the highest level for over two decades — a longevity that remains remarkable in any sport.
Career Timeline
The First World Title: 1979
John Lowe won his first BDO World Darts Championship in 1979, defeating Leighton Rees in the final. Rees had won the inaugural championship in 1978, and their final was a tight encounter that announced Lowe as a genuine title contender rather than a one-time challenger. The 1979 victory placed Lowe alongside Eric Bristow, Jocky Wilson, and John Part as the defining names of BDO darts.
John Lowe’s nine-dart finish on 13 October 1984 was the first ever shown live on television. The £102,000 prize he received remains one of the most memorable paydays in darts history.
The Nine-Dart Finish: October 1984
On 13 October 1984, competing in the MFI World Matchplay against Keith Deller, John Lowe achieved something no player had ever done on live television — a perfect nine-dart finish. He hit two maximum 180s before completing the leg with treble 17, treble 18, and double 18. The sequence checked out 141 in three darts after the two 180s — a combination that remains one of the technically demanding finishes possible.
The £102,000 prize Lowe collected was extraordinary for the time. To put it in context: that same year, John McEnroe won Wimbledon and received £90,000, while Seve Ballesteros won The Open and took home £60,000. Lowe’s nine-darter prize was actually larger than both. The achievement brought him national fame beyond the darts community and remains the defining moment of his career.
The Second and Third World Titles: 1987 and 1993
Lowe won his second BDO World Championship in 1987 and his third in 1993, making him the first player to win the world title in three separate decades — the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Only Raymond van Barneveld has matched that feat since. The 1993 title came when Lowe was 47 years old, a testament to his exceptional longevity and mental discipline. He remains one of only six players to have been world champion three or more times.
Throughout his career, Lowe won 15 BDO and WDF major titles. He was a consistent presence in the top tier of the sport from the late 1970s through the early 2000s, and his prize earnings across his career totalled nearly £396,000 — a figure that does not reflect his full income, which was substantially boosted by exhibitions, sponsorships, and the nine-dart windfall.
Net Worth and Income Sources
John Lowe’s estimated net worth in 2026 is £1–2 million. Given that he retired from competitive play in the mid-2000s and the BDO prize pool was far smaller than today’s PDC earnings, his fortune is built on a combination of prize money, exhibition fees, sponsorships, and the unique windfall of the 1984 nine-dart prize.
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BDO Tournament Prize Money | ~£396,000 | Cumulative | Official recorded career prize earnings across BDO and WDF events |
| Nine-Dart Finish Prize (1984) | £102,000 | One-time (personal) | MFI World Matchplay — the first televised nine-darter in history |
| Exhibition Matches | £30,000–£60,000/year | Annual (gross) | Exhibitions were a staple income for top players; continued well past retirement |
| Sponsorships and Endorsements | £20,000–£50,000/year | Annual (personal) | Equipment deals and brand partnerships during peak career years |
| Books, Speaking, Media | £50,000–£150,000 | Cumulative | Autobiography, media appearances, and speaking engagements post-career |
| Estimated Net Worth | £1–2 Million (2026) | ||
Net Worth Over Time
Lowe’s wealth grew steadily from the late 1970s onward, reaching a significant peak with the £102,000 nine-darter prize in 1984. During his peak playing years in the 1980s, he combined tournament income with exhibitions and endorsements to establish a comfortable financial base. His third world title in 1993 provided another income surge. After retiring from competitive play, exhibition appearances and media work provided ongoing income at a reduced but steady level. His 2026 net worth of £1–2 million reflects a career of careful accumulation rather than the kind of peak earnings modern PDC players enjoy.
John Lowe’s third world title in 1993, won at age 47, made him the first player to win the BDO World Championship in three separate decades.
Personal Life and Relationships
John Lowe has been notably private about his personal life compared to many of his contemporaries. He grew up in Derbyshire and has maintained connections to the region throughout his life. He married and has spoken in interviews about the importance of family support during the pressures of a professional darts career that stretched over three decades.
Now in his eighties, Lowe remains one of the elder statesmen of the darts world. He has been celebrated at major events and continues to be invited to BDO and PDC nostalgia fixtures as a living link to the sport’s golden era.
Awards and Recognition
John Lowe was inducted into the BDO Hall of Fame and the PDC Hall of Fame, recognising his exceptional contribution to the sport over four decades. He received the MBE for services to darts. His nine-dart finish in 1984 is commemorated as one of the defining moments in darts history, and the anniversary is regularly marked by media coverage celebrating what was genuinely a watershed moment for the sport.
Little-Known Facts About John Lowe
- He was a trained carpenter before turning professional — a fact that reflects the working-class roots common to darts’ golden generation.
- His nine-dart finish was completed with one of the more unusual checkout combinations: treble 17, treble 18, double 18 — a 141 out that is not the standard finish most players practise.
- Lowe is one of only six players in BDO/WDF history to have won three or more world championships.
- He was the first player to win the World Championship in three separate decades — a record that was not matched until Raymond van Barneveld many years later.
- At 47 years old when he won his third world title in 1993, Lowe is one of the oldest BDO World Champions on record.
What is John Lowe’s net worth in 2026?
John Lowe’s net worth is estimated at £1–2 million as of 2026. His wealth was built through three decades of professional darts, combining tournament prize money (approximately £396,000 in recorded career earnings), the landmark £102,000 nine-dart prize from 1984, exhibition fees, endorsements, and post-career media work.
When did John Lowe score the first televised nine-dart finish?
John Lowe scored the first nine-dart finish ever shown on live television on 13 October 1984, at the MFI World Matchplay in Slough. He was playing against Keith Deller. After two maximum 180s, he finished with treble 17, treble 18, and double 18 for a 141 checkout. The £102,000 prize he received was larger than Wimbledon and The Open prize money that same year.
How many times did John Lowe win the World Darts Championship?
John Lowe won the BDO World Darts Championship three times — in 1979, 1987, and 1993. This made him the first player to win the title in three separate decades. He remains one of only six players to have been BDO World Champion three or more times.
What is John Lowe’s nickname?
John Lowe’s nickname is “Old Stoneface,” a reference to his trademark impassive expression when throwing darts under pressure. The nickname reflects the mental composure that allowed him to compete at the highest level for over two decades and win world titles at ages 33, 41, and 47.
How old is John Lowe in 2026?
John Lowe was born on 21 July 1945, making him 80 years old in 2026. He remains active in the darts community and is celebrated as one of the elder statesmen of British darts.
What was John Lowe’s career prize money?
John Lowe’s recorded career prize earnings totalled approximately £396,000 across BDO and WDF events. This figure does not include his £102,000 nine-dart finish prize from 1984, nor his exhibition earnings, sponsorships, or media income. His total career earnings were significantly higher than the prize money figure alone suggests.