Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Unicorn Darts
Topics: Darts
Jack Kenmare
The man who pulled off the first televised nine-dart finish has previously opened up on the life-changing amount of money he received for creating darts history.
On the evening of October 13, 1984, three-time world champion John "Old Stoneface" Lowe achieved the first nine-darter in a televised darts event at the MFI World Matchplay event in Slough, England.
Lowe, who was playing against Keith Deller, hit two 180s before finishing 141 with treble 17, treble 18 and double 18 to complete his perfect leg.
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In his own words, it was a moment that changed his life forever. "I still feel privileged to be the one to make history," he said on the 30th anniversary of his achievement. "I didn't have to think about the 141. I had rehearsed this in practice and in my head so many times."
So how much did he earn for making history?
Lowe earned a mind-blowing amount of £102,000, which is quite extraordinary considering players who hit a nine-darter at the current World Darts Championship get £60,000 from Paddy Power.
In fact, the sum Lowe received would be worth around £325,000 in 2025 when adjusted for inflation.
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Back in 2021, Lowe gave a fascinating insight into the repercussions of hitting the first televised nine-dart finish.
“It’s been done a few times on TV now, but in 1984 mine was massive," he told Oche, as per DartsNews.
“It took darts to a new level. Especially because sport is measured by money. I picked up over £100,000 for that nine-darter in the same year that John McEnroe won Wimbledon and received £90,000 – while Seve Ballesteros won The Open and got £60,000."
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Lowe added: "It was a lot of money then, it’s probably like a million quid today. I went into the hotel bar in Slough and told the barman to give everyone a bottle of champagne. Then we had a party and believe me we drank the place dry – it was the biggest moment in my career.”
After receiving an MBE in 2018 for services to darts and to charity, Lowe once again discussed one of the most iconic moments in darts history.
"It's still something people talk to be about and it's tremendous," he said.
"You hear that millions of people have seen it on YouTube, and although I've not been on TV for over a decade it keeps you remembered because fathers show it to their kids.
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"I don't think it's every going to be forgotten anyway because it was the first TV nine-darter and you always remember the first more than anything.
"It's still mentioned now and another programme which keeps us players remembered is Bullseye, which is still being shown."
Lowe added: "People stop me in the supermarket and tell me that they saw me on Bullseye the previous evening, and things like that are lovely."