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.

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Quick Facts John Lowe MBE, Personal information ...

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 John Lowe Phase 3 Gold 90%
Laterality	Right-handed
Walk-on music	"Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO	1976–1993
PDC	1993–2007 (founding member)
WDF major events – 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
WSDT major events – best performances
World Ch'ship	Last 16: 2022
World Matchplay	Last 16: 2022
World Masters	Last 16: 2022
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 1977 London Men's pairs 1979 Las Vegas Men's pairs 1979 Las Vegas Men's team 1979 Las Vegas Men's overall 1981 Nelson Men's singles 1981 Nelson Men's team 1981 Nelson Men's overall 1983 Edinburgh Men's pairs 1983 Edinburgh Men's team 1983 Edinburgh Men's overall 1985 Brisbane Men's pairs 1985 Brisbane Men's overall 1987 Copenhagen Men's pairs 1987 Copenhagen Men's team 1987 Copenhagen Men's overall 1989 Toronto Men's pairs 1989 Toronto Men's overall 1991 Zandvoort Men's singles 1991 Zandvoort Men's team 1991 Zandvoort Men's overall 1977 London Men's team 1977 London Men's overall 1983 Edinburgh Men's singles 1985 Brisbane Men's team 1989 Toronto Men's team WDF Europe Cup 1978 Copenhagen Men's singles 1978 Copenhagen Men's pairs 1978 Copenhagen Men's overall 1980 Ebbw Vale Men's team 1980 Ebbw Vale Men's overall 1984 The Hague Men's singles 1984 The Hague Men's team 1984 The Hague Men's overall 1986 Turku Men's singles 1986 Turku Men's pairs 1986 Turku Men's team 1986 Turku Men's overall 1988 Yarmouth Men's overall 1990 Paola Men's team 1990 Paola Men's overall 1992 Helsinki Men's team 1992 Helsinki Men's overall 1990 Paola Men's pairs 1992 Helsinki Men's singles 1978 Copenhagen Men's team 1980 Ebbw Vale Men's pairs 1988 Yarmouth Men's team 1992 Helsinki Men's pairs
Updated on 19 October 2022.

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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).

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.^[1]

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. For the nine-dart finish, Lowe received £102,000. Lowe also went on to win the tournament, for which he received £12,000, and earned an additional £1,000 for tournament's highest outshot (161). This remained the highest amount of money earned by a darts player at a single tournament for almost two decades.^[2]

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Lowe played at the Alexandra Palace in 1980 in front of 7,000 people in the News of the World Championship.^[3]

Lowe also dominated the British Pentathlon event, winning it ten times, including six in a row from 1982 to 1987. He stopped entering the event as the prizemoney had not changed in 12 years and it cost players £100 to enter, plus expenses.^[4]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Lowe was born in New Tupton, Derbyshire. He is married to Karen and lives in Chesterfield. They both support Sunderland football club.^[7]

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

More information Date, Opponent ...

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

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