Mervyn King, often considered one of the greatest darts players never to clinch a PDC major title despite significant success in the BDO, has captivated fans with his remarkable career. His journey is a testament to resilience, marked by thrilling victories, agonizing near-misses, and a recent, truly extraordinary comeback. Facing immense personal and financial adversity, including a staggering tax bill and insolvency, King battled back to regain his professional tour card, proving that the “King” still has plenty of fight left.
Early Life and the Genesis of a Unique Style
Born on March 15, 1966, in Ipswich and raised in Bradwell, Norfolk, Mervyn King’s darts journey began early. Introduced to the sport by his father at a Christmas party at just 12 years old, he quickly fell in love, aspiring to be a professional by 13 and earning a spot on his country’s B team in the same year.
His early career wasn’t without its challenges. King battled injuries that caused a “hesitation” in his throw due to anticipated pain. This could have developed into dartitis – a psychological condition affecting a player’s ability to release the dart – but King successfully overcame it, developing one of the most solid and consistent throws in the game. Legend has it, as recounted by commentator Sid Waddell, King even crafted his own uniquely scalloped darts in school metalworking class, a design that remains iconic today.
What is Dartitis?
Dartitis is a psychological condition in darts that causes a player to lose control over their throwing action, often manifesting as an inability to release the dart smoothly or a sudden hesitation. It’s often compared to “the yips” in golf or other sports, affecting performance severely.
BDO Dominance: The “King” Reigns Supreme
King’s televised debut came at 28 in the 1994 Winmau World Masters. Two years later, he secured his first BDO title at the French Open. This period saw him reach multiple major finals, including the Zuiderduin Masters, and his dream run to the semi-finals of the 1997 Lakeside World Championship.
By 2000, King’s consistency saw him rise to the BDO world number 1 ranking. His World Championship campaigns were often dramatic:
- 2002 World Championship Final: After an epic semi-final victory over two-time champion Raymond Van Barneveld, King faced Australian underdog Tony David. Despite a strong fightback from 1-5 down to 4-5, King ultimately lost 6-4. David’s win was particularly inspiring given his battle with haemophilia, which caused pain in his throwing arm.
- 2003 Controversies: King’s semi-final loss to Van Barneveld was marred by King’s claims that tournament organizers refused to turn off air conditioning, affecting his light darts. This led to his famous quote: “If they can’t do a simple thing like that, what’s the point?”
- 2004 World Championship Final: King reached his second Lakeside final, only to be defeated 6-3 by the legendary Andy Fordham.
However, 2004 also brought King his first major glory. He avenged previous defeats to Tony David and faced Tony O’Shea in the final of the Winmau World Masters. In a thrilling deciding set, King triumphed 7-6, exclaiming, “I’ve waited so long for this, and I’ve won a world title at last.”
His success continued into 2005, securing his second major BDO title at the International Darts League against Tony O’Shea and his final BDO major at the Zuiderduin Masters, beating Martin Adams. King once again stood as the BDO world number 1.
The Controversial Switch to the PDC
The 2007 World Championships marked King’s final BDO appearance, amidst intense speculation about a move to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Despite reaching the semi-finals, King expressed frustration over the rumors, stating, “Everyone has been in my face all day.” Initially, BDO officials claimed King would stay, even quoting him as saying he’d “rather pack up darts than play for the PDC.”
However, on February 6, 2007, King announced his switch, seeking to “further my career” and join the “strength in depth of the PDC.” This sparked a legal threat from the BDO, as his semi-final finish obliged him to play in the 2008 BDO tournament.
King quickly adapted to the PDC circuit. His televised PDC debut at the 2007 World Matchplay saw him reach the quarter-finals. In 2008, he secured his first PDC title at the Scottish Players Championship and another Pro Tour title in the Netherlands, even beating Raymond van Barneveld in a final.
PDC Heartbreak, Premier League Drama, and Near Misses
The 2009 World Championships saw King reach his most successful PDC World Championship run to date, making the semi-finals before losing to Phil Taylor. This propelled him to world number 6, earning an automatic spot in the prestigious Premier League Darts.
His Premier League debut started sensationally with four consecutive wins. However, a controversial moment where he threw a dart over Phil Taylor’s head as Taylor bent to pick up a flight led to King being booed by crowds for the rest of the campaign. Despite this, he reached finals night, where he achieved a historic feat:
- First Man to Defeat Phil Taylor on Premier League Finals Night: King stunned “The Power” with a 10-6 semi-final victory, a monumental achievement.
- Final Loss to James Wade: Exhausted from his semi-final heroics, King fell 0-7 behind and ultimately lost 13-8 in the final.
King continued to be a strong contender, reaching another major PDC final at the 2010 Players Championship Finals and the Premier League playoffs again in 2011. He also famously hit his first televised 9-dart finish outside of Europe at the South African Masters against James Wade, and another at the UK Open against Gary Anderson.
After a challenging 2011 following the tragic loss of his father, King returned to a major final at the 2012 World Grand Prix. Leading Michael Van Gerwen 4-1 in his first PDC major final, King’s lead dramatically collapsed, losing 6-4 amidst a vocal crowd supporting his opponent.
In 2014, King secured his biggest PDC title to date at the European Darts Grand Prix. However, that same year brought what he described as his “worst heartbreak” in darts at The Masters final:
- The Masters 2014 Final: After finally overcoming Michael Van Gerwen in the semi-final, King found himself 9-2 up against James Wade, averaging 110.
- Eight Missed Match Darts: Crucially, King missed a total of eight darts to win the title, allowing Wade to mount an incredible comeback, taking out a 135 finish to snatch the title 11-10. This remains one of the greatest comebacks in darts history and a painful “what if” for King.
The Wilderness Years and a Glimmer of Hope
The six years following the 2014 Masters were a struggle for King, with only occasional flashes of brilliance on TV, such as quarter-final runs at the World Matchplay in 2016 (losing a classic to Phil Taylor) and 2019 (beating Gary Anderson).
The early 2020s, coinciding with the first COVID-19 lockdown, saw a mini-resurgence. King began working as a delivery driver for Amazon and set up a construction company. These ventures, however, were born out of desperation: King had discovered a “mammoth tax bill” that would haunt him for years.
Despite these personal pressures, his darting form improved dramatically:
- 2020 Players Championship Finals: Reached his first major final in six years, pushing Michael Van Gerwen to a last-leg decider in a match now famous for King’s humorous reactions to MVG’s celebrations.
- 2021 Masters Final: Dispatched Glen Durrant, Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall, and reigning World Champion Gerwyn Price before losing to Jonny Clayton in the final.
The Ultimate Adversity: Financial Ruin and a Legendary Comeback
Despite a strong run to the World Championship quarter-finals in 2022, King’s career took a downturn, leading to the loss of his PDC tour card after fourteen years when he failed to qualify for the 2025 World Championships.
This setback coincided with a far more significant personal crisis. At the High Court of Justice in London, King was declared insolvent. He had accumulated a staggering tax bill of over £500,000, having mistakenly believed his darts earnings were “winnings” rather than taxable income. This resulted in him being stripped of most of his assets, including his beloved motorcycle, and the terrifying prospect of losing his home and dogs.
It was against this backdrop of immense pressure and personal despair that Mervyn King made his move at the beginning of 2024. He entered PDC Q School, knowing it was his “last shot” at rebuilding his life and career. Under scrutiny and with everything on the line, King delivered, successfully regaining his tour card. His emotional interview afterwards, where he declared himself “the happiest guy you’ll ever see,” resonated deeply with fans.
Mervyn King’s story is a truly inspirational testament to overcoming adversity and learning from past mistakes. His journey, marked by both triumph and profound struggle, continues to captivate the darts world, and fans eagerly await to see “The King” back on the big stage once again.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
