John Lowe
John Lowe is a retired English darts player. Along with Eric Bristow and Jocky Wilson, he was known for dominating darts during the 1980s. He 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, he 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. His record of 28 world championship appearances was broken by Taylor in 2018. Amidst growing dissatisfaction with the British Darts Organisation, Lowe was also one of sixteen players who in 1993 broke away to form their own governing body, the World Darts Council.
Biography
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 that he managed to overcome his great rival. His record against the "Crafty Cockney" in majors was three wins and six defeats.Lowe achieved the ultimate feat in darts on 13 October 1984 during the World Matchplay tournament against Keith Deller, when he managed a nine-dart finish – the sport's equivalent of a 147 break in snooker. This was the first time it had ever been accomplished by any darts player whilst being televised, although it was not live and instead shown on a highlights programme on ITV. 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 countless other titles around the world in a hugely successful career. He played for England over 100 times and was captain for seven years, during which time his team were unbeaten.
He also gained credit for his decorum and sportsmanship at the oche, often in notable contrast to the gifted but arrogant Bristow. He 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 studious, composed performer, he didn't have anything which stood out in his demeanour or personality – until someone decided to use these very traits to come up with the soubriquet 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. This feat was beaten by Phil Taylor at the 2018 PDC World Championship.
John Lowe played at the Alexandra Palace in 1980 in front of 7,000 people in the News of the World Championship.
He was secretary of the World Professional Dart Players Association and in 2005 enjoyed a testimonial year in the sport to commemorate his 30th year as a professional. He still 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.
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 Apple iPhone and iPad; it is a 45-minute masterclass containing coaching and tips from Lowe.
Lowe planned an exhibition tour of the United States in November and December 2011.
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, from where they both support Sunderland football club.World Championship results
BDO
- 1978: Runner Up
- 1979: Winner
- 1980: 2nd Round
- 1981: Runner Up
- 1982: Runner Up
- 1983: Quarter-Finals
- 1984: Semi-Finals
- 1985: Runner Up
- 1986: Quarter-Finals
- 1987: Winner
- 1988: Runner Up
- 1989: Semi-Finals
- 1990: 2nd Round
- 1991: 1st Round
- 1992: Semi-Finals
- 1993: Winner
PDC
- 1994: Last 24 Group &
- 1995: Semi-Finals
- 1996: Semi-Finals
- 1997: Last 24 Group &
- 1998: Last 24 Group &
- 1999: 2nd Round
- 2000: Quarter-Finals
- 2001: 2nd Round
- 2002: 2nd Round
- 2003: 2nd Round
- 2004: 3rd Round
- 2005: 2nd Round
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 | Phil Obbard | 3–0 |
Winner | 2. | 1977 | Butlins Grand Masters | Eric Bristow | 5–4 |
Runner-up | 1. | 1978 | World Darts Championship | Leighton Rees | 7–11 |
Winner | 3. | 1978 | British Matchplay | Tony Brown | 2–1 |
Runner-up | 2. | 1978 | Butlins Grand Masters | Leighton Rees | unknown |
Winner | 4. | 1979 | World Darts Championship | Leighton Rees | 5–0 |
Winner | 5. | 1980 | Winmau World Masters | Rab Smith | 2–0 |
Runner-up | 3. | 1981 | World Darts Championship | Eric Bristow | 3–5 |
Runner-up | 4. | 1981 | Butlins Grand Masters | Eric Bristow | unknown |
Runner-up | 5. | 1981 | British Professional Championship | Jocky Wilson | 5–6 |
Runner-up | 6. | 1981 | Winmau World Masters | Eric Bristow | 1–2 |
Runner-up | 7. | 1982 | World Darts Championship | Jocky Wilson | 3–5 |
Runner-up | 8. | 1982 | British Professional Championship | Eric Bristow | 3–7 |
Winner | 6. | 1984 | MFI World Matchplay | Cliff Lazarenko | 5–3 |
Runner-up | 9. | 1984 | British Professional Championship | Mike Gregory | 5–7 |
Runner-up | 10. | 1985 | World Darts Championship | Eric Bristow | 2–6 |
Winner | 7. | 1985 | British Matchplay | Cliff Lazarenko | 3–0 |
Runner-up | 11. | 1985 | British Professional Championship | Eric Bristow | 4–7 |
Winner | 8. | 1987 | World Darts Championship | Eric Bristow | 6–4 |
Runner-up | 12. | 1987 | MFI World Matchplay | Bob Anderson | 1–5 |
Runner-up | 13. | 1987 | Winmau World Masters | Bob Anderson | 1–3 |
Runner-up | 14. | 1988 | World Darts Championship | Bob Anderson | 4–6 |
Runner-up | 15. | 1988 | British Matchplay | Bob Anderson | 2–3 |
Runner-up | 16. | 1988 | Winmau World Masters | Bob Anderson | 2–3 |
Winner | 9. | 1993 | World Darts Championship | Alan Warriner | 6–3 |
WDF major finals: 6 (5 titles, 1 runner-up)
Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
Winner | 1. | 1978 | Europe Cup Singles | Jocky Wilson | 4–1 |
Winner | 2. | 1981 | World Cup Singles | Jocky Wilson | 4–3 |
Winner | 3. | 1984 | Europe Cup Singles | Leighton Rees | 4–0 |
Winner | 4. | 1986 | Europe Cup Singles | Cliff Lazarenko | 4–2 |
Winner | 5. | 1991 | World Cup Singles | Martin Phillips | 6–4 |
Runner-up | 1. | 1992 | Europe Cup Singles | Phil Taylor | 2–4 |
Independent major finals: 1 (1 title)
Performance timeline
Tournament | Event | World Cup 1977 | Euro Cup 1978 | World Cup 1979 | Euro Cup 1980 | World Cup 1981 | Euro Cup 1982 | World Cup 1983 | Euro Cup 1984 | World Cup 1985 | Euro Cup 1986 | World Cup 1987 | Euro Cup 1988 | World Cup 1989 | Euro Cup 1990 | World Cup 1991 | Euro Cup 1992 |
WDF World Cup & WDF Europe Cup | Singles | rowspan=4 | |||||||||||||||
WDF World Cup & WDF Europe Cup | Pairs | - | |||||||||||||||
WDF World Cup & WDF Europe Cup | Team | - | |||||||||||||||
WDF World Cup & WDF Europe Cup | Overall | - |
Nine-dart finishes
Lowe accomplished the first ever televised nine-dart finish. This finish was not broadcast live.Date | Opponent | Tournament | Method | Prize |
13 October 1984 | Keith Deller | World Matchplay | 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T17, T18, D18 | £102,000 |