STAFFORDSHIRE, England – The world of professional darts is in a state of profound and universal shock today, mourning the loss of its greatest ever champion. Sir Phil “The Power” Taylor, the 16-time World Champion and undisputed legend of the sport, has passed away at the age of 65.
News of his sudden demise sent a wave of panic and grief through the darting community yesterday. Several top players, upon hearing vague but alarming reports from Staffordshire—the home county of both Taylor and many darts stars—rushed to the scene, fearing the worst for one of their own.
A Tragic Pilgrimage
Among those who made the urgent, unplanned journey were teenage sensation Luke Littler—who shared a close, mentor-like bond with Taylor—and other top stars including Michael Smith and Gerwyn Price. They arrived not at a hospital, but at a gathering of Taylor’s closest family and friends, where the devastating truth was confirmed.
“It was a complete shock. We heard something was terribly wrong in Staffordshire, and your mind races,” a distraught Gerwyn Price later stated. “To lose Phil… it’s like losing the heart of the sport. Luke [Littler] is heartbroken. We all are.”
The Passing of a Colossus
Sir Phil Taylor’s family released a short statement confirming his peaceful passing at home, surrounded by family. The cause of death has not been disclosed. The statement read: “It is with the heaviest heart that we confirm the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Phil. He was a towering figure in sport but was simply our rock at home. We ask for privacy at this unimaginably difficult time.”
The Sport’s Foundation Mourns
The news brings a solemn finality to the career of the man who built modern darts. From his first world title in 1990 to his emotional retirement in 2018, Taylor’s unparalleled dominance—with 85 major titles—set the standard for excellence.
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn, fighting back tears, paid tribute: “Phil Taylor wasn’t just a player; he was the phenomenon that made the PDC. He was the ultimate competitor, a fierce winner, and a generous friend. The sport has lost its founding father and its greatest icon. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Social media is a sea of black-and-white images of “The Power” holding aloft one of his many world championship trophies. Every current player, from Michael van Gerwen to Fallon Sherrock, has posted tributes, many recalling his pivotal advice and his relentless will to win.
A Silence Like No Other
The cancellation of all PDC events this weekend now carries a deeper weight. The oche—the stage Taylor owned for three decades—is silent. The chants of “POWER! POWER!” that defined an era will now be a poignant echo of remembrance.
The journey made by Littler and his peers underscores the unique, family-like bond in darts, a community forged in large part by Taylor’s long shadow and later, his supportive presence. Their shock reflects the loss felt by every fan: the man who was darts is gone.
Sir Phil Taylor: 1960 – 2026. The Power has left us. May he rest in peace.