In praise of Jocky Wilson

Jocky Wilson was a global star in arguably the heyday of darts in the 1980s and

1990s.

All Scotland celebrated when the former fish processor from Kirkcaldy won the World Championships in 1982 and 1989, celebrating with his trademark toothless grin.

The hard-drinking and smoking Wilson, who died at the age of 62, might not have appeared to be the kind of person who could be relied upon in a crisis, let alone a lifethreatening situation. But, as we all know, appearances can be deceptive. In a new documentary, Bobby George, aka the ‘King of Darts’, describes how Wilson helped save his life.

George ruptured his spleen while sharing a hotel room with Wilson. A doctor was summoned, but left after handing over a few tablets. George continued to say he was in pain but Wilson didn’t dismiss his friend’s complaints, as some might have done, and instead sought a second opinion from a nurse, who realised the seriousness of the situation and called an ambulance.

One more reason to celebrate the life of Scotland’s favourite dartsplaying son.