Phil Taylor is considered the greatest darts player of all time. One of the best darts players ever, Taylor’s remarkable accuracy and consistency set him apart, and his domination in major tournaments made him a kingpin on the professional scene for over 30 years. He was a pioneer of darts, which has since become a globally recognized sport: he won 16 World Championship titles and more than 200 professional tournaments. His superstar career and aggressive scoring style also gave him the familiar nickname “The Power.” In this article, we will also talk about Phil Taylor darts, age, height, wife, stats, net worth, and more.
Who is Phil Taylor?
Phil Taylor, a former English professional darts player, dominated the sport from 1987 until his retirement in 2013. Born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, he would go on to become the most successful player in darts history. Over his career, Taylor won dozens of major titles and set numerous records that still remain today.
Phil Taylor Biography Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Philip Douglas Taylor |
| Nickname | The Power |
| Profession | Former Professional Darts Player |
| Date of Birth | 13 August 1960 |
| Birthplace | Stoke-on-Trent, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Playing Hand | Right-handed |
| Active Years | 1987–2018 |
| Major Titles | 87 |
| World Championship Titles | 16 |
Phil Taylor Age and Date of Birth
Phil Taylor was born on 13 August 1960 in Stoke-on-Trent, England. He is 65 in 2026. He made one of the most successful careers in darts history over the years.
Phil Taylor Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 80 kg |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Playing Style | Right-handed |
Early Life and Education
Phil Taylor was raised in Stoke-on-Trent, a city famous for its pottery industry. Before turning pro, he worked in a ceramics factory and also in a toilet-paper factory. By this time, Taylor played darts in local pubs and amateur leagues, slowly honing the skills that would one day make him a international legend.
Phil Taylor Family Background
Taylor, a native of Staffordshire, England, is working-class. Then Eric Bristow, the legendary darts player, saw his talent at an early stage and helped in gaining him a move to England. It was partly through Bristow’s mentorship that Taylor entered professional darts, going on to achieve international success.
Phil Taylor Wife and Relationships
Phil Taylor wed Yvonne in 1988 after meeting at a pub, and they had four children together over 26 years before splitting in 2014 when he started travelling extensively for tournaments. In a bitter divorce settlement known as a “clean break” completed in 2016, a court in Nottingham ordered Taylor to pay Yvonne £830,000 upfront, transfer five properties (including their five-bedroom marital home and an apartment in Tenerife), and hand over all his pensions after she claimed half the couple’s £3.4 million fortune and also spousal support.
Phil Taylor Children
Phil has four children with his ex-wife, Yvonne: Lisa, Christopher, Kelly, and Natalie. They featured alongside him on the ITV game show Family Fortunes, which highlighted family moments during his career peak. In 2015, after Quilty’s divorce in 2016, some of the children had alleged estrangement with younger daughters Kelly and Natalie, saying they felt abandoned during family court proceedings.
Phil Taylor Darts Career Journey
Early Darts Career
Phil Taylor began playing darts competitively in the 1980s, starting off with local leagues. His big break came when Eric Bristow spotted his potential and sponsored him. Under Bristow’s watch, Taylor improved rapidly and started playing in professional events.
Rise to Fame in Professional Darts
Taylor first shot to global prominence in 1990, when he won his first World Darts Championship title by besting his mentor Eric Bristow in the final. That victory was the start of a pioneering career that included records galore.
Phil Taylor BDO Career
Taylor lifted the World Championship when he was part of the British Darts Organisation in 1990 and 1992. These early victories made him one of the sport’s most promising players.
Phil Taylor PDC Career
He joined the newly formed Professional Darts Corporation in 1993. During the PDC era, he ruled the sport with 14 PDC World Championships and a host of major tournaments.
Phil Taylor Trending 2026 Darts
Phil Taylor is still a huge influence in the darts arena long into his retirement. So many players today, from newcomers to icons, get compared to the man with a bowling ball in his hand whose records of supremacy no player has come close to matching.
Phil Taylor World Championship Wins
Phil Taylor holds the record for 16 World Championship titles, the highest in darts history.
| Year | Organization | Opponent | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | BDO | Eric Bristow | 6–1 | First World title |
| 1992 | BDO | Mike Gregory | 6–2 | Winmau World Masters also won |
| 1995 | PDC | Rod Harrington | 6–2 | First PDC title; start of 8-year streak |
| 1996 | PDC | Dennis Priestley | 6–0 | Whitewash final |
| 1997 | PDC | Dennis Priestley | 6–3 | – |
| 1998 | PDC | Dennis Priestley | 6–0 | Second whitewash |
| 1999 | PDC | Peter Manley | 6–2 | – |
| 2000 | PDC | Bob Anderson | 7–1 | Extended set format |
| 2001 | PDC | John Part | 7–0 | Whitewash |
| 2002 | PDC | Peter Manley | 7–0 | End of streak |
| 2004 | PDC | Mark Webster | 7–2 | – |
| 2005 | PDC | Mark Dudbridge | 7–4 | – |
| 2006 | PDC | Raymond van Barneveld | 7–0 | Whitewash |
| 2009 | PDC | Raymond van Barneveld | 7–1 | – |
| 2010 | PDC | Simon Whitlock | 7–3 | – |
| 2013 | PDC | Michael van Gerwen | 7–4 | Final title |
Phil Taylor Playing Style and Nickname
Taylor’s nickname of “The Power” speaks to his remarkable scoring and accuracy. He was known for rattling off high scores consistently and closing out games with a single checkout combination; he is considered one of the most feared competitors in the history of darts.
Phil Taylor Career Statistics
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Professional Titles | 214 |
| Major Titles | 87 |
| World Championship Titles | 16 |
| Televised Nine-Dart Finishes | 11 |
| Career Finals | 262 |
Phil Taylor Awards and Achievements
Here is a selection of Phil Taylor’s career achievements:
- 16× World Darts Champion
- 16× World Matchplay Champion
- 11× World Grand Prix Champion
- 6× Premier League Champion
- Awarded MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to sport
Phil Taylor’s Retirement from Professional Darts
Phil Taylor announced his retirement from full-time professional darts in 2018, after featuring in the World Championship final. His retirement came at the end of one of the most dominant careers in sports history.
Phil Taylor Life After Retirement
Since retiring, Taylor has remained active in darts through exhibition matches, media appearances and promotional events. He also devotes more time to his family and favours a quieter lifestyle away from competitive play.
Phil Taylor Net Worth
Phil Taylor’s net worth is estimated to be $7–10 million. His legendary career earned him income from tournament prize money, sponsorships, exhibitions, and endorsements.
Phil Taylor Prize Money Earnings
Phil Taylor earned more than £7.5 million for his illustrious darts career. As of 2026, he is the second-highest-earning darts player in history, behind only Michael van Gerwen. His supremacy across 16 World Championships and in excess of 87 major titles saw his career earnings surpass £5 million by 2012 alone.
Phil Taylor’s Records in Darts History
Phil Taylor has some remarkable records in darts:
- Most World Championship titles (16)
- Most major tournament victories
- Eight consecutive world titles (1995–2002)
- 21 World Championship final appearances
Phil Taylor’s Interesting Facts
- Taylor was previously employed in a factory prior to embarking a career as a darts player.
- During his legendary career, he recorded 11 televised nine-dart finishes.
- He was mentored by five-time world champion Eric Bristow.
- He ruled professional darts for more than 25 years.
Phil Taylor Legacy in the Darts World
The influence of Phil Taylor on darts is huge. His success helped popularize the sport worldwide and inspired a generation of new players. He remains widely regarded by experts as the greatest darts player of all time.
Conclusion
Phil Taylor’s rise from a factory worker in Stoke-on-Trent to the most successful darts player in history is one of sport’s great rags-to-riches stories. Sixteen world titles, over 200 tournament victories, and countless records later, he had set a challenge for few athletes in any sport to match. His legacy is one that influences and shapes the world of darts, even in retirement.
FAQ’s
Who is Phil Taylor?
Phil Taylor, a former English professional darts player, dominated the sport from 1987 until his retirement in 2013.
What is Phil Taylor wife name?
Phil Taylor wed Yvonne in 1988 after meeting at a pub, and they had four children together over 26 years before splitting in 2014 when he started travelling extensively for tournaments.
How old is is Phil Taylor?
Phil Taylor is 65 years old in 2026.
What is Phil Taylor net worth?
Phil Taylor’s net worth is estimated to be $7–10 million.
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