Grand Prix Darts Star Colin Lloyd in Conversation v6232
BestBettingSites.com writer Roy Brindley recently caught up with Darts star Colin Lloyd – who cuts a much slimmer figure since his days as a competitor – to talk about his life now, some of the issues surrounding darts, and the future of the game and its stars.
Colin Lloyd: No 1 Darts Player with His Eye on the Target 3v3i3z
Amongst darts aficionados, Colin Lloyd’s fifteen 180s and an audacious 170 checkout to take the 2005 World Matchplay final ranks amongst one of the best performances in darts. The Essex player had just become the World No. 1, and this performance meant he would stay in that spot for most of the next two years.
The ‘dartsmith’, in his early 30s at the time and known by the nickname ‘Jaws’, had already won the World Grand Prix. He was one of the very few players who could go toe-to-toe with the legendary Phil Taylor in the mid-2000s, and he appeared to have an outstanding future ahead of him.
But Lloyd’s form slowly tapered off, and following a string of disappointing efforts, he left the PDC tour on his own ahead of the 2014 season. A very popular character amongst his peers – his only misdemeanour came at the 2011 Ladbrokes World Championship when he punched the board in frustration during a first-round match – the star has remained a cog in the sport since.
The Big Money Came Too Late but Lloyd’s Happy 96q30
Colin, you earned £20,000 for winning the World Grand Prix in 2004 and got £10,000 for finishing runner-up in the same competition 12 months later. That same year, 2025, you collected £25,000 when landing the World Matchplay. That’s £55,000 during a hot spell.
These same results in 2025 would have seen £380,000 transferred into your bank . With prize money increases coming into effect, these earnings will be closer to £500,000 in 2026! Do you wish you were born a few decades later?
“The thing about top-class sports and life in general is that prize money and wages increase. At the time, the prize money seemed great, and it was. Would I like to be able to compete in today’s market? Yes, of course, I would, as the rewards are huge. But I never look back, and I was and am very happy with my time and the players I competed against.”
But, seriously, Colin, does this mega money not occasionally tempt you to start playing again? Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Mensur Suljovic, Raymond van Barneveld, Andrew Gilding and a few others are all older than you and still on the PDC tour, and they are collecting 2005 style prizemoney for ‘going deep’ into some events.
“It’s not something I dwell on or think about, Roy. I had my time as a top player, and if I am honest, I wasn’t good enough anymore. I lost that competitive edge that you need to succeed.”
Darts is prospering right now, and prizemoney is continuing to grow. When do you think it will level out? Do you think it might go the same way as Snooker in the 80’s? That sport went massive, but it all but disappeared from the radar by the mid-90s. Its prizemoney is negligible compared to Darts these days.
“I honestly believe that Darts is still growing. The reason is that so many other countries are looking at what the product is about right now. The affordability of the game means that they are starting their own academies to hopefully have a World Champion of their own.”
“From a game that originated from pubs and clubs, it has become a worldwide tour with TV and sponsors from all over the globe wanting to be involved. The sport of darts is in a very, very good place, and I think it will be for the foreseeable future.”
So, what did you do after packing up? And what does Colin Lloyd do these days?
“It’s not that I’ve packed up the game of darts; I just don’t compete on the tour anymore. I’ve been very fortunate to be quite successful in the game, so I get bookings for exhibitions, presentations and appearances.”
“My main work at this moment in time is that I am the Head of Player Development for Winmau/Red Dragon Darts which is the biggest Darts brand in the world. This job has me keeping in with the players that are currently signed with us. I also keep an eye out for new players who we could possibly sign to our brand.”
Tell us more about the youngsters you work with. How does the/your system work? Is the next Luke Littler amongst their number? Are there any players amongst them with superstar potential?
“I don’t have a great deal to do with the potential young talent coming through, as that is left to Steve Brown and his team at the JDC [Junior Darts Corporation], which Winmau sponsors.”
“Through this system, we have the Winmau T-360, which is a programme aimed at specifically fast-tracking the very best junior darts talent across the world with personal one-on-one mentoring, training, and preparing for big events.”
What Does the Future Hold for Luke Littler? 255o58
Luke Littler. He is preciously young, and many, myself included, thought he might ‘do a Kirk Shepherd’ (an unknown player, a 21-year-old that made the final of the 2008 World Championship as a 1,000/1 shot and never showed form remotely the same afterwards – disappearing into obscurity).
That’s not happened, and he has gone on from strength to strength in the past 18 months. Is there anyway of predicting what the future has in store for Luke Littler?
“The world of darts is completely different compared to when Kirk Shepherd made the final in 2008. Luke Littler is a player who has come through the Junior Darts Corporation and has been very fortunate to gain valuable advice from the people who work there. It means he can focus on his game without worrying or thinking about anything else.”
“As for Luke Littler’s future, only time will tell. He is a supremely talented young man who I believe could dominate for years to come. In saying that, there are lots of very talented individuals coming through the system who will keep Luke on his toes.”
The next Sky-televised major is the World Matchplay in July. All eyes will be on Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, who head online darts bookies betting lists. Is there anyone you have seen on a clear upward curve who could stake a claim on the title?
“The fact that it is the World Matchplay and, in my mind, the second biggest major to win, it won’t just be about the two Lukes. There are so many talented players on the circuit right now. Any of them competing at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens could win the event. The two Lukes are the rightful favourites, as they have dominated most of the major events for the last 18 months. But no event is a given.”
Sherrock, Chisnall, Friends and More 8492x
Fallon Sherrock proved that a female darts player can take on and beat some of the world’s best with her run to the third round of the 2020 William Hill World Championships. No woman has come close to repeating that type of performance since.
Is there any female player on tour who could repeat that kind of performance? Could you envisage a woman player reaching something like the semi-finals of the World Championship sometime in the next 10 or 20 years?
“What Fallon achieved that year was incredible but not a shock as she is a fantastic darts player. In the PDC Women’s Series events, Beau Greaves is the only player who could match or possibly sur what Fallon achieved.”
“She is, and by a long way, the best female player on the planet at this moment in time. Beau is a very respected competitor by everyone who plays darts, and she has the potential to dominate for many years to come.”
Dave Chisnall has never won a ‘biggie’ – can you see that changing?
“Unfortunately, I think the opportunities for Dave to win a Major are too few and far between these days. He’s had a great career and is still going strong. But I don’t believe that he can win a major now with the talent that is in the game at this time.”
Andy Jenkins was recently banned for match-fixing and betting on games. Probably the highest-profile player to be banned under these circumstances. Were you surprised about this going on?
“It’s a tricky subject to talk about but all I will say is that darts has the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) and if you think about doing something that’s likely to bring the game into disrepute, you will get found out.”
I know you barely know how to place a bet but, do you think a dedicated form student that watched enough darts and studied enough stats could make a living betting on the sport?
“I’m sure that there are people out there that do make a few pounds from betting on the darts but it’s a game that can change with the width of a wire, so I’ll be keeping my money in my pocket.”
Is there a camaraderie between the players, and do they hang out together? Or are there clicks and those that keep themselves to themselves?
“Some players enjoy each other’s company, whether it’s at the event or after when going for dinner. Some players prefer their own company. You must that it’s an individual sport, and at the end of the day, you are a competitor. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be friends when the darts are finished.”
