JOCKY WILSON, THE two-time former world darts champions, has died at the age of 62.
One of the most famous names in British sport in the 1980s, Wilson vied with Eric Bristow and John Lowe for the game’s major honours until his retirement in 1995.
A police spokeswoman in his home town of Kirkcaldy, Fife told the BBC: “The death is non-suspicious and due to a medical matter.” Wilson had recently been suffering with the lung disorder chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.
Wilson’s first victory in the World Championship came in 1982 when he beat Lowe, and then he repeated the feat seven years later in a famous clash with Bristow.
Wilson had found himself 5-0 up before the ‘Crafty Cockney’ fought back to 5-4. The match was tied at 2-2 in the tenth set before Wilson regrouped and took the trophy.
Tommy Cox, who managed Jocky Wilson from 1988-1996, said: “It’s a very sad day because Jocky was loved by so many people for the great character he was.
“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.”
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