Bobby George

Robert Francis George (born 16 December 1945) is an English television presenter and former professional darts player. He is widely recognised as one of the game's biggest personalities, known for his flamboyant entrances in which the "King of Darts" makes his way to the stage bedecked in jewellery, wearing a crown and cloak and holding a candelabra to the Queen song "We Are the Champions". and making his first appearance at the World Masters less than a year later. He has won several major tournaments, including the News of the World Championship in 1979 and 1986, the Butlins Grand Masters in 1979 and 1980,

George reached the final of the BDO World Darts Championship in 1980 at his first attempt,

George reached his second and last world final in 1994. After beating Russell Stewart and Martin Phillips, he broke his back when celebrating winning a set during his quarter final match against Kevin Kenny. George got through that match against Kenny by 4–2 in sets, having damaged his back when celebrating going 3–2 up. In his semi final match against Magnus Caris, George went two sets up, but then lost the next four sets and the opening two legs of the seventh set. When Caris missed a dart at double 18 to win the match, George responded by winning nine legs in a row to win the match 5–4 in sets.

Television work Since 1998, George has been a co-presenter and pundit on the BBC darts coverage, primarily of the BDO World Championship. He has also made several other television appearances, not all relating to darts. In 2002, he played himself in Sean Lock's sitcom 15 Storeys High, while in 2004, he starred in the comedy film One Man and His Dog, and later followed in the footsteps of fellow professional darts player Andy Fordham by taking part in the ITV programme Celebrity Fit Club. In 2006, he appeared in a regular segment of Brainiac: Science Abuse series 4, in which he played darts in order to explode caravans. He was also a team captain in Showbiz Darts again alongside Fordham. In 2007, he appeared with celebrity TV show, Don’t Call Me Stupid, with Vanessa Feltz.

In 2009, he teamed up with Bristow and John Lowe to tour theatres around the UK and Ireland, appearing in a show named Legends of the Oche which was presented and hosted by comedian Duncan Norvelle. He appeared in a 2009 episode of BBC's Cash in the Attic.

In January and February 2016, George appeared in the three-part BBC series The Real Marigold Hotel, He also appeared on The Real Marigold on Tour, visiting Florida and Kyoto in 2016, Chengdu and Havana in 2017, and St. Petersburg in 2019.

In November 2017, George appeared on Gone to Pot: American Road Trip in which five celebrities (mainly older aged) go across California and Colorado to find out how cannabis can be used medicinally and how it would affect the UK if it was legalised.

Personal life George was born in Manor Park, London. After leaving school, he had various jobs including as a nightclub bouncer, floor layer, and builder, he was a tunneler working as a lead miner on the Victoria line before taking up darts at the age of 30. The layout of the rooms has been designed to look like a dart,

His son Richie is also a former professional darts player; he reached the semi-final of the 2013 BDO World Darts Championship, losing to eventual champion Scott Waites.

George has worked as an ambassador for basic arithmetic, touring schools teaching children how darts can help with counting skills.

Tournament wins George's tournament wins are:

1. 1979 Butlins Grand Masters Bill Lennard unknown

1. 1980 World Championship Eric Bristow 3–5 (s)

2. 1980 Butlins Grand Masters Leighton Rees unknown

2. 1994 World Championship John Part 0–6 (s)

WDF major finals: 1 (1 title)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Winner 1. 1982 Europe Cup Singles Eric Bristow 4–1 (l)

Independent major finals: 2 (2 titles) Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Winner 1. 1979 News of the World Championship Alan Glazier 2–0 (l)Winner 2. 1986 News of the World Championship Rick Ney 2–0 (l)

Performance timeline George's performance timeline is: