Vincent van der Voort retired Dutch darts legend whose career started in the BDO era and continued into the modern PDC‑dominated game Dubbed “The Dutch Destroyer” and formerly “Grease Lightning.”, he combined fast darts with stage-room theatrics to become one of the most recognisable faces on the oche. This article also talks about Vincent van der Voort age, family, darts, net worth, career, and more
Who is Vincent van der Voort?
Vincent van der Voort is a retired Dutch professional darts player from Purmerend, Netherlands, who played in the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and later Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) top-level darts tournaments. He is considered one of the fastest ever in the world, bespeaking his flamboyant style and fan‑fare.
Vincent van der Voort Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vincent van der Voort |
| Nickname | The Dutch Destroyer, Grease Lightning |
| Profession | Former Professional Darts Player |
| Date of Birth | 18 December 1975 |
| Age (2026) | 50 Years |
| Birthplace | Purmerend |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Hometown | Purmerend |
| Religion | Not Publicly Known |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife / Partner | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Children | 2 |
| Early Career | BDO (British Darts Organisation) |
| PDC Debut | 2007 |
| Major Achievement | Austrian Darts Open Winner (2015) |
| World Championship Best | Quarter-Finalist (Multiple Times) |
| Net Worth (Approx.) | £6.5 million |
| Retirement | December 2025 |
| Current Role | Darts Analyst & Commentator |
Vincent van der Voort’s Early Life and Background
Van der Voort was raised in the town of Purmerend, in North Holland province, and had an early interest in darts as well as other sports. From a working‑class Dutch heritage, he worked part time at the same time as hitting local darts before jumping into national prominence. His early coaching and local competitions were the genesis of a highly technical, high‑speed game.
Vincent van der Voort Age & Date of Birth
Vincent van der Voort was born on 18 December 1975, and at the age of 2026, he is 50 years old. In March 2026, he is a few months past his 50th birthday and living in Purmerend, Netherlands.
Vincent van der Voort Height, Weight & Physical Appearance
| Physical Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Approx. 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) |
| Weight | Approx. 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Build | Medium |
| Dominant Hand | Right-handed |
| Distinct Feature | Extremely fast throwing action |
Education & Early Interests
Van der Voort’s education record is not well established in public documents and tends to focus more on practical darts training and local club competitions than academic degree programs. From an early age, he took a keen interest in sports, music and entertainment, influences that would later seep into his brisk walk‑ons and stage demeanor.
Vincent van der Voort Family
Vincent van der Voort is relatively private about his family life, but according to Dutch media reports, he is married and has two children with his partner. His personal life has also had several highs and lows, but one of the biggest was spending time with his dying sister and her kids, which greatly in his later career and retirement.
Vincent van der Voort Wife
On paper, at least, van der Voort’s status is in a long‑term relationship with a partner who helps him through tournaments and public appearances. The couple was married three years ago, and they have two children together, though media accounts do not name or describe them in detail due to the family’s sensitivity about maintaining privacy.
Professional Darts Career
Van der Voort’s professional career can be divided into three stages: early BDO success, a transition to the PDC, and then a long twilight that ended with him retiring in 2025. He is known for his run of consecutive qualifications for World Championships and his role in bridging the divide between the generations of BDO and PDC dart players at the time.
Career Beginnings (BDO Career)
Van der Voort started in the BDO system and quickly made a name for himself with solid results in the European events. He won the Danish Open in 2002 and 2006, and made the last eight of the BDO World Championship in 2005, beating defending champion Andy Fordham en route.
Transition to PDC
He moved to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) with fellow Dutchmen Jelle Klaasen and Michael van Gerwen in 2007. The move helped him find an environment of bigger earnings and more media glare, in which he quickly advanced to the final of the 2007 UK Open but lost to Raymond van Barneveld while establishing himself as a top-level contender.
Major Career Achievements
Key achievements include:
- PDC World Darts Championship 16 appearances (2 quarter-finals)
- Including his 2005 BDO World Championship run, a three—time World Championship quarter‑finalist overall.
- 2015 Austrian Darts Open, where he notably fought back from 5–2 down to defeat Jamie Caven 6–5 in the final.
He won more than 60 titles and earned over £1.3 million in prize money during his playing days across all tours.
Tournament Wins & Titles
Vincent van der Voort has won many open‑level titles, among them:
- 2× Danish Open (BDO era).
- Satellite/Qualifying Events For The European Darts Grand Prix
- Minor PDC titles, and his fifth PDC ranking title, to go with many non‑ranking wins.
His success was more level in mid‑tier events than at PDC museums, although his 2015 Austrian Darts Open victory is one of the career highlights.
Playing Style & Nickname (“The Dutch Destroyer”)
Van der Voort is perhaps best known for his pitch-in-time throwing rhythm, which has often been described as one of the fastest in the sport’s history. He pairs this with a stocky, repetitive stance and a fit, aggressive mentality that endears him to fans even if he isn’t always the most accurate statistically. His nicknames went from “Grease Lightning” in his youth to a more aggressive, but equally mellifluous, “The Dutch Destroyer,” reflecting his heavy scoring and at times show‑man style.
Vincent van der Voort Walk‑On Song
His most famous walk‑on music is “Give It Up” by K.C. & The Sunshine Band, which he has played for years at major tournaments. This disco‑funk track suits his exuberant, flamboyant stage arrival, also a welcome fixture of his branding on the PDC circuit.
Notable Matches & Records
Among his most memorable matches:
- BDO World Championship 2005 quarter‑final: elimination of defending champion Andy Fordham, a massive upset back then.
- PDC World Championship 2011 quarter‑final: impressive run that proved he could cut it at the highest level PDC has to offer.
- 2015 Austrian Darts Open Final: 5–2 down to Jamie Caven before winning six legs in a row for 6–5 with a stunning clutch 83 on double 8.
Statistically, he had 22 World Championship appearances combined between BDO and PDC, an ever-rare longevity marker.
Rankings & Career Statistics
Van der Voort reached a career high of inside the top 20 in the PDC Order of Merit but played his later years bumping along between mid‑40s to 60s as form and injury curbed his results. His career average darts score, on television anyway, usually hovered in the high‑80s to low‑90s range, a testament to his fast‑and‑loose but high-scoring approach. He won more than 60 titles and earned over £1.3 million in prize money during his career.
Vincent van der Voort Injuries & Challenges
In his later years, van der Voort struggled with persistent physical problems that included issues with his shoulder and arms that interfered with tournament scheduling and rankings. Outside of health, he also had personal bereavement, devoting time caring for his dying sister and her children, which has put an emotional burden on his professional career while affecting the form with which he enters this tournament.
Retirement News or Future Plans
Vincent van der Voort resigned his PDC Tour Card in the beginning of 2025, effectively leaving the Pro Tour and his last tournaments coming during the PDC World Darts Championship 2024–2025 circuit. In December 2025, he announced his complete retirement from professional darts, mentioning restrictions of the body and family reasons. He is currently employed as a darts commentator and analyst for Dutch and European sports‑broadcasting platforms.
Net Worth & Income Sources
Although exact figures aren’t made public, Dutch wealth‑tracking sites estimate that as of 2026, Vincent van der Voort’s overall net worth is approximately £6.5 million. This comes from:
- Prize money in the PDC and BDO, in over two decades of competition.
- Sponsorship and endorsement deals with dart‑related brands & equipment manufacturers
- Income from public speaking, fan events and media commentary roles.
Specific monthly or annual figures are not made public.
Sponsorships & Endorsements
Over the course of his career, van der Voort has promoted various darts brands, including:
- Winmau, for whom he threw a 23‑gram [Winmau Signature] dart during his later years.
- Outfits and equipment sponsors associated with the Dutch and European darts scene, many of which include his name and moniker on dart sets and merchandise.
These deals raised his profile and offered him a steady income stream in addition to his prize money.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Username | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @vvdv180 | 14.3K followers | |
| @VvdV180 | 48.2K followers | |
| VincentvanderVoortOfficial | 8.4K followers |
Lesser‑Known Facts
- He was previously known as “Grease Lightning” before taking on “The Dutch Destroyer”.
- He is among the fastest dart throwers ever recorded, commentators oohing and aahing over his rapid-fire rhythm.
- In Purmerend, he has a deep Dutch‑local fan base and supporters tend to go to big tournaments as fans offering their words of support for him.
Controversies
Public records reveals no signs of any major scandals or discipline controversies involving Vincent van der Voort. His career has been characterized more by adulation of his speed and showmanship than off‑dartboard drama, although he has publicly criticized parts of the PDC system and late-career injury burdens.
Legacy & Impact on Darts
Van der Voort will be fondly remembered as a maestro of rapid-fire darts. Like Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen, he helped Dutch darts ascend to a place somewhere in the world.
His entertainment value, longevity, and idiosyncratic style continue to influence the next wave of players.
Conclusion
The story of Vincent van der Voort’s adventure in the sport of darts is one of passion, determination, and showmanship. Even though he never won a world title, we recognize his impact on the sport. Known as “The Dutch Destroyer,” Van Barneveld’s quick-fire darts combined with his wider-than-life personality meant he would always be a fan favorite in darts.
FAQ’s
How old is Vincent van der Voort?
Vincent van der Voort is 50 years old as of 2026.
What is Vincent van der Voort’s nickname?
His nickname evolved from “Grease Lightning” to “The Dutch Destroyer,” reflecting his aggressive and entertaining style.
What is Vincent van der Voort estimated net worth?
Vincent van der Voort’s overall net worth is approximately £6.5 million.
How tall is Vincent van der Voort?
Approx. 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in).
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