John Lowe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Lowe MBE
Lowe in 2009
Personal information
Nickname	"Old Stoneface"
Born	(1945-07-21) 21 July 1945 (age 78) New Tupton, Derbyshire, England
Home town	Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
Darts information
Playing darts since	1966
Darts	21g Unicorn World Champion Golden John Lowe
Laterality	Right-handed
Walk-on music	"Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday" by Boney M.
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO	1976–1993
PDC	1993–2007 (founding member)
BDO majors – best performances
World Ch'ship	Winner (3) 1979, 1987, 1993
World Masters	Winner (2) 1976, 1980
PDC premier events – best performances
World Ch'ship	Semi-Final: 1995, 1996
World Matchplay	Semi-Final: 1995, 2002
World Grand Prix	Semi-Final: 2001
UK Open	Last 16: 2005
Other tournament wins
News of the World 1981 Butlins Grand Masters 1977 MFI World Matchplay 1984 British Matchplay 1978, 1985 Australian Grand Masters 1985 Autumn Gold Cider Masters 1987 BDO British Classic 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987 BDO Gold Cup 1978, 1979, 1982 British Open 1977, 1988 British Pentathlon 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 Canadian Open 1986, 1987, 1989 Denmark Open 1978, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1987 Dry Blackthorn Cider Masters 1983, 1986 Finnish Open 1992 French Open 1986 MFI World Pairs 1986 North American Open 1985, 1987 Welsh Open 1982
Other achievements
1984 – First televised nine-dart finish 1986 to 1993 – WDF England Captain (unbeaten)
Medal record Men's Darts Representing  England WDF World Cup Gold 1977 London Men's pairs Gold 1979 Las Vegas Men's pairs Gold 1979 Las Vegas Men's team Gold 1979 Las Vegas Men's overall Gold 1981 Nelson Men's singles Gold 1981 Nelson Men's team Gold 1981 Nelson Men's overall Gold 1983 Edinburgh Men's pairs Gold 1983 Edinburgh Men's team Gold 1983 Edinburgh Men's overall Gold 1985 Brisbane Men's pairs Gold 1985 Brisbane Men's overall Gold 1987 Copenhagen Men's pairs Gold 1987 Copenhagen Men's team Gold 1987 Copenhagen Men's overall Gold 1989 Toronto Men's pairs Gold 1989 Toronto Men's overall Gold 1991 Zandvoort Men's singles Gold 1991 Zandvoort Men's team Gold 1991 Zandvoort Men's overall Silver 1977 London Men's team Silver 1977 London Men's overall Bronze 1983 Edinburgh Men's singles Bronze 1985 Brisbane Men's team Bronze 1989 Toronto Men's team WDF Europe Cup Gold 1978 Copenhagen Men's singles Gold 1978 Copenhagen Men's pairs Gold 1978 Copenhagen Men's overall Gold 1980 Ebbw Vale Men's team Gold 1980 Ebbw Vale Men's overall Gold 1984 The Hague Men's singles Gold 1984 The Hague Men's team Gold 1984 The Hague Men's overall Gold 1986 Turku Men's singles Gold 1986 Turku Men's pairs Gold 1986 Turku Men's team Gold 1986 Turku Men's overall Gold 1988 Yarmouth Men's overall Gold 1990 Paola Men's team Gold 1990 Paola Men's overall Gold 1992 Helsinki Men's team Gold 1992 Helsinki Men's overall Silver 1990 Paola Men's pairs Silver 1992 Helsinki Men's singles Bronze 1978 Copenhagen Men's team Bronze 1980 Ebbw Vale Men's pairs Bronze 1988 Yarmouth Men's team Bronze 1992 Helsinki Men's pairs
Updated on 19 October 2022.

John Lowe MBE (born 21 July 1945) is an English former professional darts player. Along with Eric Bristow and Jocky Wilson, he was known for dominating darts during the 1980s. Lowe was world champion on three occasions, in 1979, 1987 and 1993. He was also a two-time winner of the Winmau World Masters and a two-time World Cup singles champion. In total, Lowe won 15 BDO and WDF majors. He held the World No. 1 ranking on four occasions. In October 1984, he became the first player to hit a televised nine-dart finish.

Lowe is one of only six players to have won the World Championship three or more times, and was the first person to win it in three separate decades; along with Phil Taylor, he remains one of only two players to achieve this. Amidst growing dissatisfaction with the British Darts Organisation, Lowe was also one of 16 players who in 1993 broke away to form their own governing body, the World Darts Council (now known as the Professional Darts Corporation).

Career

Lowe won the World Championship title in three different decades – 1979, 1987 and 1993. He met Eric Bristow six times in the World Championship in various semi-finals and finals, and it was not until his fourth attempt (in the 1987 final) that he managed to overcome his rival. His record against Bristow in majors was three wins and six defeats.

Lowe achieved the first ever televised nine-dart finish (the sport's equivalent of a 147 break in snooker) on 13 October 1984 during the World Matchplay tournament against Keith Deller, although it was not live and instead shown on a highlights programme on ITV. It was achieved via a rare third visit combination of treble 17, treble 18 and double 18. Lowe won £102,000 for this success. He went on to win the tournament.

In addition to his three world titles, Lowe has also won two World Masters titles, two British Open titles, two British Matchplay championships, two World Cup Singles, and three European Cup Singles Titles, as well as other titles around the world in his career. He played for England over 100 times and was captain for seven years, during which time his team were unbeaten.

Lowe gained credit for his decorum and sportsmanship at the oche, often in contrast to Eric Bristow. Lowe was also probably unique in darts in that he looked after his health, never developing the weight difficulties associated with darts players, though he did consume alcohol onstage alongside other players when it was still permitted during matches.

Nicknames have always been common in darts, but Lowe never really had one which caught on. A composed performer, he did not have anything which stood out in his demeanour or personality – until someone decided to use these traits to come up with the nickname of "Old Stoneface". This is also the title of Lowe's autobiography which was published in 2005.

Lowe has enjoyed a longevity at the sport. He played in the televised stages of the World Championship for a then record 28 consecutive years, from the inaugural championship in 1978 to his last appearance in 2005 where he was defeated by the Canadian John Verwey in a final leg tie-break.

Lowe played at the Alexandra Palace in 1980 in front of 7,000 people in the News of the World Championship.

Lowe was secretary of the World Professional Dart Players Association (later to become the Professional Dart Players Association (PDPA)), and in 2005, enjoyed a testimonial year in the sport to commemorate his 30th year as a professional. He attempted to qualify for the World Championship each year until 2008, but fell short in the early qualifying rounds. After joining a short-lived venture, the Setanta Sports-televised BetFred League of Legends in 2008, Lowe became ineligible to compete at the PDC World Championship so could not attempt to qualify for the 2009 event.

Post-darts career

In May 2009, Lowe released a book, The Art of Darts, in which he offered his personal insights into the game to both amateur and aspiring professional dart players. In 2013, The Art of Darts was produced in app-form for the iPhone and iPad.

In 2014, Lowe was one of several celebrities to take part in ITV's new game show Amazing Greys, in which members of the public take on icons of British sport and entertainment.

Personal life

Lowe was born in New Tupton, Derbyshire. He is married to Karen and lives in Chesterfield. They both support Sunderland football club.

World Championship results

BDO

• 1978: Runner-up (lost to Leighton Rees 7–11 legs)
• 1979: Winner (beat Leighton Rees 5–0 sets)
• 1980: 2nd round (lost to Cliff Lazarenko 0–2)
• 1981: Runner-up (lost to Eric Bristow 3–5)
• 1982: Runner-up (lost to Jocky Wilson 3–5)
• 1983: Quarter-finals (lost to Keith Deller 3–4)
• 1984: Semi-finals (lost to Eric Bristow 0–6)
• 1985: Runner-up (lost to Eric Bristow 2–6)
• 1986: Quarter-finals (lost to Bob Anderson 3–4)
• 1987: Winner (beat Eric Bristow 6–4)
• 1988: Runner-up (lost to Bob Anderson 4–6)
• 1989: Semi-finals (lost to Eric Bristow 1–5)
• 1990: 2nd round (lost to Ronnie Sharp 2–3)
• 1991: 1st round (lost to Peter Evison 2–3)
• 1992: Semi-finals (lost to Phil Taylor 4–5)
• 1993: Winner (beat Alan Warriner 6–3)

PDC

• 1994: Group Stage (beat Tom Kirby 3–2 and lost to Larry Butler 2–3)
• 1995: Semi-finals (lost to Phil Taylor 4–5)
• 1996: Semi-finals (lost to Phil Taylor 1–5)
• 1997: Last 24 group (lost to Jamie Harvey 2–3 and beat Paul Lim 3–1)
• 1998: Last 24 group (lost to Peter Manley 0–3 and lost to Gary Mawson 0–3)
• 1999: 2nd round (lost to Phil Taylor 1–3)
• 2000: Quarter-finals (lost to Dennis Smith 3–5)
• 2001: 2nd round (lost to Jamie Harvey 0–3)
• 2002: 2nd round (lost to Peter Manley 5–6)
• 2003: 2nd round (lost to Les Fitton 1–4)
• 2004: 3rd round (lost to Alan Warriner 3–4)
• 2005: 2nd round (lost to John Verwey 2–3)

WSDT

• 2022: 2nd round (lost to Dave Prins 0-3)

Career finals

BDO major finals: 25 (9 titles, 16 runners-up)

Outcome	No.	Year	Championship	Opponent in the final	Score
Winner	1.	1976	Winmau World Masters (1)	Phil Obbard	3–0 (s)
Winner	2.	1977	Butlins Grand Masters (1)	Eric Bristow	5–4 (s)
Runner-up	1.	1978	World Darts Championship	Leighton Rees	7–11 (l)
Winner	3.	1978	British Matchplay (1)	Tony Brown	2–1 (s)
Runner-up	2.	1978	Butlins Grand Masters	Leighton Rees	unknown
Winner	4.	1979	World Darts Championship (1)	Leighton Rees	5–0 (s)
Winner	5.	1980	Winmau World Masters (2)	Rab Smith	2–0 (s)
Runner-up	3.	1981	World Darts Championship (2)	Eric Bristow	3–5 (s)
Runner-up	4.	1981	Butlins Grand Masters (2)	Eric Bristow	unknown
Runner-up	5.	1981	British Professional Championship	Jocky Wilson	5–6 (s)
Runner-up	6.	1981	Winmau World Masters	Eric Bristow	1–2 (s)
Runner-up	7.	1982	World Darts Championship	Jocky Wilson	3–5 (s)
Runner-up	8.	1982	British Professional Championship (2)	Eric Bristow	3–7 (s)
Winner	6.	1984	MFI World Matchplay (1)	Cliff Lazarenko	5–3 (s)
Runner-up	9.	1984	British Professional Championship (3)	Mike Gregory	5–7 (s)
Runner-up	10.	1985	World Darts Championship (4)	Eric Bristow	2–6 (s)
Winner	7.	1985	British Matchplay (2)	Cliff Lazarenko	3–0 (s)
Runner-up	11.	1985	British Professional Championship (4)	Eric Bristow	4–7 (s)
Winner	8.	1987	World Darts Championship (2)	Eric Bristow	6–4 (s)
Runner-up	12.	1987	MFI World Matchplay	Bob Anderson	1–5 (s)
Runner-up	13.	1987	Winmau World Masters (2)	Bob Anderson	1–3 (s)
Runner-up	14.	1988	World Darts Championship (5)	Bob Anderson	4–6 (s)
Runner-up	15.	1988	British Matchplay	Bob Anderson	2–3 (s)
Runner-up	16.	1988	Winmau World Masters (3)	Bob Anderson	2–3 (s)
Winner	9.	1993	World Darts Championship (3)	Alan Warriner	6–3 (s)

WDF major finals: 6 (5 titles, 1 runner-up)

Outcome	No.	Year	Championship	Opponent in the final	Score
Winner	1.	1978	Europe Cup Singles (1)	Jocky Wilson	4–1 (l)
Winner	2.	1981	World Cup Singles (1)	Jocky Wilson	4–3 (l)
Winner	3.	1984	Europe Cup Singles (2)	Leighton Rees	4–0 (l)
Winner	4.	1986	Europe Cup Singles (3)	Cliff Lazarenko	4–2 (l)
Winner	5.	1991	World Cup Singles (2)	Martin Phillips	6–4 (l)
Runner-up	1.	1992	Europe Cup Singles	Phil Taylor	2–4 (l)

Independent major finals: 1 (1 title)

Outcome	No.	Year	Championship	Opponent in the final	Score
Winner	1.	1981	News of the World Championship (1)	Mick Norris	2–0 (l)

Nine-dart finishes

Lowe accomplished the first ever televised nine-dart finish. This finish was not broadcast live.

John Lowe televised nine-dart finishes

Date	Opponent	Tournament	Method	Prize
13 October 1984	Keith Deller	World Matchplay	3 x T20; 3 x T20; T17, T18, D18	£102,000