THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MEMORIES AND ALL OF THE LAUGHS
Tributes to Bullseye legend Tony
BULLSEYE legend and much-loved darts commentator Tony Green has died at the age of 85.
The former amateur player worked with presenter Jim Bowen on the programme for 13 years and was the voice of darts for a generation of fans alongside Sid Waddell.
First aired in 1981, Bullseye pulled in 19.8 million at its peak and was one of the most popular shows on ITV.
The official Bullseye Facebook account said yesterday: “It’switha very heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear friend and much loved colleague Mr Tony Green. Tony passed away peacefully today after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
“Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Tony’s family, who we hold such affection for, to all of Tony’s friends and those who were lucky enough to work with him.
“Thank you Tony for all the memories, all the laughs
(and trust us there were many!) and all the special times filming Bull se ye together.
“Whatwonderful years those were and w e a re honoured to have shared them with you . You will be missed our dear friend.”
A decent amateur player himself, Hull-born Tony went on to become the BBC’S lead commentator for their coverage of the sport, including the annual BDO World Championship. One of his most legendary pieces of commentary came during the first-ever nine-darter at the Worlds, when Paul Lim pulled off the perfect finish.
As the historic double 12 went in, Tony s c reamed: “Yes,it’sthere!”
He w as w ell kno w n for co-hosting Bullseye from 1982 to 1995. Tony would talk con t e stants through “Bully’s star prize” and then, after they missed out, showed them what they could have won.
He appeared in several later one-off specials of the show, along withits 2006 rebootwith Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey, and continued to lend hisvoice to the sport until 2016.
Darts legend Phil “The Power” Taylor led the tributesto Tony, saying: “We’ve lost a lovely man who waspart of the fabric of darts.
“He accompanied me to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year bash in London once – in the year I beat Eric Bristow in the final – and I was amazed how manypeople seemed to know him on the red carpet.
“Everybody wanted his autograph or to shake his hand, and I said to him, ‘Crikey, bud, I’m the world champion but you’re the most popular man here’.
“Tony had a heart of gold. It feels like another one of the game’s most faithful companions has gone.”