In this edition of our “Back in the Day” series, we reflect on the dramatic and often turbulent career of Ted Hankey—a player whose name remains etched in darts history, both for his unique persona and his controversial life off the oche.
The Rise of ‘The Count’
Born on February 20, 1968, in Stoke-on-Trent—also the hometown of Phil Taylor—Edward “Ted” Hankey began his professional darts journey with the BDO, like many of his era. His breakthrough came in 1995 when he claimed the Malta Open, a title he would successfully defend the following year.
By 1998, Hankey had worked his way into the BDO World Championship at the iconic Lakeside Country Club. He made an immediate impact, defeating Wayne Weening 3-0 while posting the only 100+ average of the tournament. After cruising past fifth seed Mervyn King, he eventually lost in the quarter-finals to Colin Monk. But it was clear—Hankey was a crowd-puller. Draped in a Dracula-style cape and handing out black masks to fans, “The Count” quickly built a cult following.
A First World Title in Style
After a disappointing early exit in the 1999 World Championship, Hankey bounced back in 2000. Entering as the fifth seed, he blazed through the tournament, producing a stunning comeback in the semifinals against Chris Mason—helped by a record 22 180s. He then dismantled Ronnie Baxter 6-0 in a 46-minute final, the shortest in World Championship history, sealing it with a dramatic 170 finish. It was a moment of pure dominance.
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He reached the final again in 2001 but lost to John Walton. Over the next several years, Hankey collected various international titles and reached a few majors’ later stages, but he struggled to replicate his early Lakeside success—until 2009.
A Second Title and a Surprise Resurgence
Just when many thought his best years were behind him, Hankey rolled back the years at the 2009 World Championship. After cruising past Brian Woods, Ross Montgomery, and John Walton, he edged Martin Adams in the semifinals before clinching his second world title with a tense 7-6 win over Tony O’Shea in the final. It would be his last major triumph.
A Brief and Troubled PDC Stint
In 2012, after a semifinal loss at the BDO World Championship to eventual winner Christian Kist, Hankey made the switch to the PDC. He had already made a few appearances at the Grand Slam of Darts, but his move didn’t bring success. During a Grand Slam match against Michael van Gerwen in 2012, he suffered a minor stroke, forcing him out for months. By the end of 2013, he lost his PDC Tour Card and returned to the BDO in 2014, though it was clear his best form had faded. His final BDO Worlds appearance came in 2016, losing in the first round.
Due to his fear of flying, Hankey rarely played in overseas tournaments, further limiting his career options.
Downfall and Conviction
Sadly, Hankey’s legacy became deeply tarnished in the years that followed. In 2017, he was declared bankrupt. Then in 2021, the two-time world champion made headlines for all the wrong reasons after he sexually assaulted a woman—an incident that was captured on CCTV.
Initially denying the allegations, Hankey was arrested and later shown the video evidence. He eventually pled guilty in court on April 14, 2022. On May 12, 2022, he was sentenced to two years in prison and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
At the time of his arrest, Hankey had mysteriously withdrawn from the World Seniors event, citing personal reasons. His planned return to the spotlight never materialized. Around the same time, he went viral on social media for an old clip where he confidently mapped out a winning checkout with the words: “Who’s in charge, me or the devil? Single 9, double 8, walk off, shake his hand.”
A Quiet Exit from the Darts World
Hankey was released early from prison in 2023 and has since disappeared from public view. Once a fan favorite with a dramatic flair and undeniable talent, Ted Hankey’s story is now as much a cautionary tale as it is a reminder of the highs and lows professional athletes can experience.
