Phil Taylor Announces Formal Retirement After Legendary Darts Career
Phil Taylor, the English former professional darts player widely known as "The Power," has declared this will be his final year in the sport. According to celebrity net worth estimates, Taylor has accumulated a substantial fortune of $7 million throughout his remarkable career.
From Humble Beginnings to Darts Dominance
Born on August 13, 1960, in Stoke-on-Trent, England, to parents Liz and Doug, Taylor left school at just 16 years old. He worked various jobs, including manufacturing ceramic toilet roll handles, before discovering his true calling in darts.
His journey into professional darts began in 1986 when he moved to a terraced house next to a pub owned by darts star Eric Bristow. Taylor soon started playing regularly, often at Bristow's establishment, and quickly gained sponsorship from the established player.
Unprecedented Championship Success
Taylor's professional career spanned more than three decades of absolute dominance. He participated in events organized by both the British Darts Organisation and the Professional Darts Corporation, which he helped establish.
The statistics speak for themselves: 214 professional tournament victories, including a record-breaking 16 World Championship titles. His first world title came in 1990 when he defeated his mentor Eric Bristow in the final.
From 1995 to 2002, Taylor achieved what many considered impossible - eight consecutive World Championship victories. He also dominated the World Matchplay tournament, winning it five straight times between 2000 and 2004.
Career Milestones and Comebacks
Taylor's career timeline shows remarkable consistency:
- 1988: Won his first major title at the Canadian Open
- 1990: Captured his inaugural World Championship
- 1994-2002: Dominated the sport with unprecedented consistency
- 2018: Made his final PDC World Championship appearance
- 2022: Came out of retirement for the World Seniors Darts Championship
The 63-year-old initially stepped away from Professional Darts Corporation events after his 2018 World Championship final loss to Rob Cross. However, he continued competing in senior tournaments until announcing his formal retirement plans.
Media Presence and Personal Life
Beyond the oche, Taylor made several television appearances that expanded his public profile. He featured on popular shows including the ITV game program "Bullseye," made a guest appearance on the long-running soap opera "Coronation Street" in 2009, and appeared on the Irish children's reality series "OMG! Jedward's Dream Factory" in 2012.
Taylor married Yvonne in 1988, and the couple had four children together before separating in 2014 and finalizing their divorce in 2016. During the divorce proceedings, his younger children Kelly and Natalie claimed they were living on government assistance while feeling abandoned by their father, contrasting with the financial support Taylor provided to his older children Lisa and Christopher.
Controversy and Recognition
In 2001, Taylor faced legal trouble when he was convicted of indecent assault following an incident at an exhibition event in Fife, Scotland. Dunfermline Sheriff Court fined him £2,000, and as a consequence, his nomination for the Order of the British Empire was withdrawn.
Despite this controversy, Taylor's sporting achievements remain unquestioned. The BBC ranked him among the ten greatest British athletes of the 35-year period leading up to 2015. His career earnings of £8.5 million become even more impressive considering he achieved this during an era of significantly smaller prize pools compared to today's standards.
As Taylor prepares for his final year in competitive darts, his legacy as one of the sport's most dominant figures remains secure. His journey from ceramic factory worker to 16-time world champion represents one of the most remarkable transformations in professional sports history.
