# Darryl Fitton > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Darryl_Fitton > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Darryl_Fitton.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darryl_Fitton > Source revision: 1352749532 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) English darts player Not to be confused with [Darrell Fitton](/source/Darrell_Fitton). This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Darryl Fitton" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Darts player Darryl Fitton Fitton in 2016 Personal information Nickname "The Dazzler" Born (1962-05-05) 5 May 1962 (age 64) Stockport, Cheshire, England Home town Urmston, Greater Manchester Darts information Playing darts since 1978 Darts 25g Target Laterality Right-handed Walk-on music "One Step Beyond" by Madness preceded by opening from "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream Organisation (see split in darts) BDO 2000–2020 PDC 1997 WDF 2000–2020 WDF major events – best performances World Championship Semi Final: 2005, 2009, 2017 World Masters Runner Up: 2007 World Trophy Winner (1): 2016 Int. Darts League Semi Final: 2004 Finder Masters Winner (1): 2009 Dutch Open Winner (1): 2009 PDC premier events – best performances World Matchplay Last 32: 1997 Grand Slam Quarter Final: 2008 WSDT major events – best performances World Championship Quarter Final: 2023 Other tournament wins Tournament Years Belgium Open British Classic British Open Dutch Open England Ch'ship German Open Greek Open Isle of Man Open Luxembourg Open Police Masters Polish Open Welsh Classic 2006 2004 2003 2009 2010 2014 2011 2009 2016 2013 2011 2006 Other achievements Hemeco Open Rosmalen 2010 Open Paradiso 2012 Vonderke Masters 2008 **Darryl Fitton** (born 5 May 1962) is an English former professional [darts](/source/Darts) player. He was nicknamed **The Dazzler** and worked as an [undertaker](/source/Undertaker) before embarking on his darts career. Fitton won the [2009](/source/2009_Zuiderduin_Masters) [Finder Masters](/source/Finder_Darts_Masters) and the [2016 BDO World Trophy](/source/2016_BDO_World_Trophy). He was also a three-time [BDO World Championship](/source/BDO_World_Darts_Championship) semi-finalist, the runner-up at the [2007 World Masters](/source/2007_World_Masters_(darts)), and a quarter-finalist at the [2008 Grand Slam of Darts](/source/2008_Grand_Slam_of_Darts). ## Darts career Fitton's first TV appearance was against [Peter Manley](/source/Peter_Manley) in the [1997 PDC World Matchplay](/source/1997_World_Matchplay_(darts)). However, he lost 8–6, and has not made another PDC appearance since. Fitton debuted in the BDO World Championship in 2003 as a qualifier, but lost 1–3 to fellow qualifier John Burton in the first round. In 2004, he returned to Lakeside, again hitting a 180 score with his very first turn. He reached the quarter-finals before being beaten by [Andy Fordham](/source/Andy_Fordham), who went on to win the title. The following year, he reached the semi-finals, this time losing out to [Raymond van Barneveld](/source/Raymond_van_Barneveld) in a hard-fought 5–3 scoreline, as van Barneveld went on to win the title that year. After that, Darryl did not win a match at the World Championship for the next two years, losing to [Martin Adams](/source/Martin_Adams) and [Phill Nixon](/source/Phill_Nixon) in the first round of the 2006 and 2007 championships respectively. Fitton did reach the final of the [Winmau World Masters](/source/Winmau_World_Masters) in 2007, leading [Robert Thornton](/source/Robert_Thornton_(darts_player)) 5–2 before Thornton hit back to win 7–5. In the 2008 World Championship, Fitton got beyond the first round for the first time since 2005 when he bossed his match against Davy Richardson, running out a 3–1 winner with a 94.86 average. In the second round he put in one of the most dominant performances of the World Championship when he averaged over 100 in a 4-0 hammering of [Gary Robson](/source/Gary_Robson_(darts)). However he lost 5–1 in the quarter-finals to number-one seed (and eventual champion) [Mark Webster](/source/Mark_Webster_(darts_player)). Darryl is known as a consistently high scorer, he once held the record for best average in a full, televised match. His 6–0 win against Davy Richardson in the 2004 [International Darts League](/source/International_Darts_League) saw him hit a three-dart average of 114.15. This was, at the time, the highest three-dart average on a televised tournament. Fitton reached the semi-finals of the [2009 BDO World Championship](/source/2009_BDO_World_Darts_Championship), beating Mark Salmon in the first round and then defeated 12th seed [Simon Whitlock](/source/Simon_Whitlock) in round two. He followed up with a 5–4 win over fourth seed [Scott Waites](/source/Scott_Waites) before bowing out to his friend [Tony O'Shea](/source/Tony_O'Shea) in a 6–4 defeat. Fitton then claimed the 2009 Dutch Open title, beating [Willy van de Wiel](/source/Willy_van_de_Wiel) in the final and then the Isle of Man Open title, beating World Champion Ted Hankey in the final. Fitton won the 2009 [Zuiderduin Masters](/source/Zuiderduin_Dutch_Grand_Masters) beating Martin Adams in the final 5–2. He also achieved the magic [nine dart finish](/source/Nine_dart_finish) against [Ross Montgomery](/source/Ross_Montgomery) and was given £4,000 which he donated to a local Charity. In the 2010 BDO World Championship, he was beaten by eventual finalist [Dave Chisnall](/source/Dave_Chisnall) 3–1 in the first round. Fitton also lost in the first round at Lakeside in 2011, 3–0 against second seed [Stuart Kellett](/source/Stuart_Kellett) winning just one leg. Fitton managed to retain some form later in the year by reaching his second Zuiderduin Masters final, where he narrowly lost to Scott Waites having had two darts to win. However, Fitton would once again lose in the first round at Lakeside in 2012 losing 3–1 against fourth seed [Robbie Green](/source/Robbie_Green). After a quiet 2012 season, Fitton entered the [2013 BDO World Darts Championship](/source/2013_BDO_World_Darts_Championship) as the 16th seed. He narrowly defeated [Benito van de Pas](/source/Benito_van_de_Pas) 3–2 in the first round to secure his first win at Lakeside since 2009. He then caused a big upset by defeating top seed [Stephen Bunting](/source/Stephen_Bunting) 4–2 in the second round. In the quarter-final, Fitton was defeated 5–2 by [Wesley Harms](/source/Wesley_Harms). Fitton's form improved after this but his 2014 World Championship was ended in the first round by [Tony Eccles](/source/Tony_Eccles), in Eccles's last tournament before being convicted of child grooming. The following year, Fitton reached the quarter-finals again beating previous year's runner-up [Alan Norris](/source/Alan_Norris_(darts_player)) en route, before losing to [Glen Durrant](/source/Glen_Durrant). In 2015, Fitton hit a [nine-dart finish](/source/Nine-dart_finish) in the [Dutch Open](/source/Dutch_Open_(darts)) final against [Martin Adams](/source/Martin_Adams), although he ended up losing the match. He also reached the final of the Jersey Open losing to [Scott Mitchell](/source/Scott_Mitchell_(darts_player)). In the [2016 BDO World Darts Championship](/source/2016_BDO_World_Darts_Championship), seeded seventh, Fitton was defeated 3–2 in the first round by [Dennis Harbour](/source/Dennis_Harbour). After that, he won the 2016 [BDO World Trophy](/source/BDO_World_Trophy) by defeating Peter Machin in the final 13–9. With this win, Fitton qualified for the [2016 Grand Slam of Darts](/source/2016_Grand_Slam_of_Darts). Fitton was knocked out of the [2018 BDO World Darts Championship](/source/2018_BDO_World_Darts_Championship) in the second round, losing to [Glen Durrant](/source/Glen_Durrant) 4–1. ### PDC Fitton confirmed on his Facebook his intention to switch to the [Professional Darts Corporation](/source/Professional_Darts_Corporation) for the 2018 season, and he entered the 2018 Q-School in an attempt to win a Tour Card.[1] ### BDO He rejoined the [British Darts Organisation](/source/British_Darts_Organisation) and competed in the Dutch Open. He reached the last 16 and got beaten by [Dave Parletti](/source/Dave_Parletti). ## World Championship Results ### BDO - 2003: First round (lost to [John Burton](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Burton_(darts_player)&action=edit&redlink=1) 1–3) - 2004: Quarter-finals (lost to [Andy Fordham](/source/Andy_Fordham) 4–5) - 2005: Semi-finals (lost to [Raymond van Barneveld](/source/Raymond_van_Barneveld) 3–5) - 2006: First round (lost to [Martin Adams](/source/Martin_Adams) 1–3) - 2007: First round (lost to [Phill Nixon](/source/Phill_Nixon) 1–3) - 2008: Quarter-finals (lost to [Mark Webster](/source/Mark_Webster_(darts_player)) 1–5) - 2009: Semi-finals (lost to [Tony O'Shea](/source/Tony_O'Shea) 4–6) - 2010: First round (lost to [Dave Chisnall](/source/Dave_Chisnall) 1–3) - 2011: First round (lost to [Stuart Kellett](/source/Stuart_Kellett) 0–3) - 2012: First round (lost to [Robbie Green](/source/Robbie_Green) 1–3) - 2013: Quarter-finals (lost to [Wesley Harms](/source/Wesley_Harms) 2–5) - 2014: First round (lost to [Tony Eccles](/source/Tony_Eccles) 1–3) - 2015: Quarter-finals (lost to [Glen Durrant](/source/Glen_Durrant) 2–5) - 2016: First round (lost to [Dennis Harbour](/source/Dennis_Harbour) 2–3) - 2017: Semi-finals (lost to [Danny Noppert](/source/Danny_Noppert) 3–6) - 2018: Second round (lost to [Glen Durrant](/source/Glen_Durrant) 1–4) ### WSDT - 2022: First round (lost to [Richie Howson](/source/Richie_Howson) 2–3) - 2023: Quarter-finals (lost to [Leonard Gates](/source/Leonard_Gates) 1–3) - 2024: First round (lost to [Chris Mason](/source/Chris_Mason_(darts_player)) 1–3) - 2025: Second round (lost to [Robert Thornton](/source/Robert_Thornton_(darts_player)) 1–3) ## Career statistics Key W F SF QF #R RR Prel. DNQ DNP NH (W) Won; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Prel.) Preliminary round; (DNQ) Did not qualify; (DNP) Did not participate; (NH) Not held ### Performance timeline Tournament 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 BDO World Championship DNP 1R QF SF 1R 1R QF SF 1R 1R 1R QF 1R QF 1R SF 2R DNP BDO World Trophy Not held 2R 2R W 1R DNQ International Darts League Not held RR SF QF RR QF Not held World Darts Trophy Not held DNP 2R 2R QF 2R 1R Not held World Masters DNP 4R DNP 2R 3R 1R QF QF F 6R 6R 5R 2R 4R SF 5R 6R QF 5R DNP Zuiderduin Masters Not held DNP RR RR QF NH SF QF W RR F RR RR QF QF DNP NH World Matchplay 1R DNP Grand Slam of Darts Not held DNQ QF RR RR DNQ 2R DNQ ### BDO major finals: 4 (2 title, 2 runners-up) Legend Winmau World Masters (0–1) Zuiderduin Masters (1–1) BDO World Trophy (1–0) Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score[note 1] Runner-up 1. 2007 Winmau World Masters Robert Thornton 5–7 (s) Winner 1. 2009 Zuiderduin Masters Martin Adams 4–2 (s) Runner-up 2. 2011 Zuiderduin Masters Scott Waites 4–5 (s) Winner 1. 2016 BDO World Trophy Peter Machin 13–9 (l) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-score_2-0)** (l) = score in legs, (s) = score in sets. ### Nine-dart finishes See also: [Nine-dart finish](/source/Nine-dart_finish) Darryl Fitton televised nine-dart finishes Date Opponent Tournament Method Prize 13 December 2009 Ross Montgomery Zuiderduin Masters 2 x T20, T19; 3 x T20; 2 x T20, D12 2 February 2015 Martin Adams Dutch Open 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 ### High averages See also: [High dart average](/source/High_dart_average) Darryl Fitton's televised average of 114.15 was the world record until [Phil Taylor](/source/Phil_Taylor_(darts_player)) broke it at the [2008 UK Open](/source/2008_UK_Open). Darryl Fitton televised high averages Average Date Opponent Tournament Stage Score 114.15 May 2004 Davy Richardson 2004 International Darts League Last 32 group 6–0 (l) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Fitton confirms Q-School debut: 'Decided to stop playing BDO'"](http://dartsnews.com/fitton-confirms-q-school-debut/). Darts News. Retrieved 17 January 2018. ## External links - [Darryl Fitton's Official Website](https://web.archive.org/web/20130507023145/http://the-dazzler.co.uk/) - [Profile and stats on Darts Database](http://www.DartsDatabase.co.uk/PlayerDetails.aspx?playerKey=1531) Records Preceded by Phil Taylor World record highest televised average 9 May 2005 – 7 June 2008 Succeeded by Phil Taylor --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Darryl Fitton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darryl_Fitton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darryl_Fitton?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.