Andy Fordham dead latest – Former darts champion dies after suffering organ failure as stars pay tribute

FAMILY HAS ASKED DONATIONS TO GO TO CHARITY HEART OF DARTS

His family have asked well wishers to donate to the charity Heart of Darts.

Tributes have flooded in from across the sport for the Millwall fan, born in South-east London in 1962.

Fellow former world champ Adrian Lewis tweeted: “Sad to hear the passing of a legend Andy Fordham our thoughts are with his family.”

HE WON THE 2004 BDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

KING OF DARTS

Lewis famously faced Fordham on his 2015 comeback at the Grand Slam of Darts, in which the Viking hit a 180 with his first three darts before succumbing to defeat.

Glen Durrant posted a photo of himself with Fordham in his tribute, and commented: “RIP Andy Fordham #Legend.”

TRIBUTES FLOOD IN

Tributes have flooded in for the oche star from across the sport.

Fellow former world champ Adrian Lewis tweeted: “Sad to hear the passing of a legend Andy Fordham our thoughts are with his family.”

DARTS LEGEND PASSES AWAY FROM ORGAN FAILURE

A spokesperson confirmed to SunSport that Fordham passed away in hospital on Thursday morning after suffering major organ failure.

Doctors were amazed at his ability to fight his health issues but his death has left wife Jenny and their family heartbroken.

EARLIER THIS YEAR THE DARTS LEGEND HAD SUFFERED WITH A BLOCKAGE IN HIS BOWELS

SunSport revealed that in 2020 the 2004 BDO World Darts Champion was recovering at home in South-East London after being discharged from hospital following a blockage in his bowels.

Andy Fordham is pictured below when he was in hospital in March last year.

He was told by doctors he would need surgery.

It is not yet known how he sadly died.

FORDHAM WOULD HAVE LOVED TO PLAY AGAIN

Fordham last played at the Lakeside world champs 13 years ago and made a memorable appearance at the 2015 Grand Slam of Darts.

But he accepted his career was blighted by heavy boozing, which meant that he never capitalised on that BDO world title.

He once drunk up to 24 bottles of lager before a match, and revealed he had not given up hope of playing on the big stage once again.

He told Winmau TV: “I had a few goes on the dartboard. It’s slowly picking up.

“I won’t say I’ll be back to tournament standard but without trying you don’t know.

“I’d love to play again. I remember the British Open in Bridlington a few years back.”

COVID WORRIES

In January Andy urged people to wear masks and follow the rules, saying: “In the past year I’ve rarely been out.

“But on the rare occasions I have the amount of people you see not wearing a mask or social distancing is terrifying.

“It’s vital people follow the rules and I’d beg them to make sure they do – for their – and everyone else’s – sakes.”

DEVASTATED

Andy had recently suffered the loss of a close pal dying from covid. 

Fordham explained in January: “He was a mutual friend of mine and Dennis Priestley. He was around the circuit and would travel with Dennis. 

“The three of us were all at an exhibition in January last year at the Excel in London.

“Then, just a few weeks later, I got a call to tell me he’d died. I was devastated as he was such a lovely man.”

DEATH FEARS

In January Fordham said: “I look down the stairs and can see my dart board in the hall but I haven’t played for nearly a year. 

“I miss it but right now the only thing I am focused on is beating this virus. I am really worried about giving the virus to my family.

“I am staying in my bedroom because my wife, Jenny, has had cancer twice and my father-in-law who lives with us is 87 and is severely disabled. 

“When you get the virus you suddenly realise everything you take for granted.

“I am sitting thinking a lot about all the things I’d miss if this virus overcomes me, like seeing my grandchildren grow up.

“I’m just hoping and praying I come through it.”

DARTS LEGEND RECENTLY RECOVERED FROM COVID

The popular 2004 BDO World Champion said he was ‘terrified of dying’ after catching the killer virus.

The 58-year-old ex-pub landlord, who once weighed 31 stone, had his share of medical and health issues in recent years.

The Viking tweeted earlier this year: “Well, had a few scares in my time but opening that email and seeing you have tested positive for Covid just cripples you.

“I’ve had a few rough days but hopefully well on the mend.

“I thank everyone who sent get well messages they mean a lot and please stay safe.”

FINAL MONTHS

Andy, who spent his last years teetotal, weighed around 21 stone in January but still suffered from a serious liver condition.

Due to a groin injury, Fordham also struggled to walk without pain. 

In January he revealed he hadn’t thrown a dart in more than a year.

HOW MANY DARTS TITLES DID HE WIN?

Fordham was a superb player who was hugely popular with fans.

And his talent arguably deserved more than the one BDO World Championship he won in 2004.

During his career, Fordham won the following darts titles:

• BDO World Championship – 2004
• BDO Masters – 1999
• British Matchplay – 1995
• British Pentathlon – 1998, 2003
• Finnish Open – 1994
• Isle of Man Open – 1995
• Norway Open – 1995, 2000
• Swiss Open – 1994
• Welsh Open – 2002

WEIGHT CRISIS

Andy – who once weighed 31 stone and downed 25 bottles of lager a day – had spoken openly about his health issues. 

In 2009, he got his weight down to 16 stone but last year he ballooned back up to 28 stone. 

In February 2020, it led to him being rushed to hospital where an operation on his bowel led to him having 16 litres of fluid drained from his body. 

COVID HELL

Andy, nicknamed the Viking during a glittering career as a pro darts player which saw him win the world title in 2004, had been doing all he could to be careful last year.

But he thinks he got the virus following a recent trip to a nearby chemist. 

After starting to develop a cough he was diagnosed with the virus and spent days self-isolating in a bedroom

WHO IS HIS WIFE JENNY?

Andy and his wife Jenny met way back in the early 1980s and were engaged in 1982.

But it wasn’t until 2000 that the couple finally tied the knot.

The pair have two children together – Ray and Emily – as well as five grandchildren.

HIT BY VIRUS

In January Fordham told SunSport: “Right now I am just about coping.

“But I spoke to my doctor who warned me the virus can hit you very quickly. 

“My biggest fear is waking up one morning, not being able to breathe and being placed in the back of the ambulance – then not seeing my wife and children again.”

COVID FEARS

Fordham recently admitted he was ‘terrified of dying’ after being diagnosed with coronavirus. 

The 58-year-old, who has been beset by health problems in recent years, told The Sun: “This is the scariest thing I’ve ever had to face in my life.” 

In an emotional interview the former world champion broke down in tears as he explained how a doctor has warned him he faces a make-or-break few days. 

Andy pulled through but would be dead just six months later

TRIBUTES FLOOD IN

Tributes have flooded in for the oche star from across the sport.

Fellow former world champ Adrian Lewis tweeted: “Sad to hear the passing of a legend Andy Fordham our thoughts are with his family.”

HEALTH BATTLE

Last year, the Viking was hospitalised with a bowel blockage before he was struck by coronavirus.

Fordham even revealed his dream of returning to the oche once again.

But, on Thursday, it was confirmed that he had passed away with wife Jenny by his side.

RISE TO FAME

The Bristol-born thrower entered the scene with a run to the BDO semi-finals in 1995 before finally claiming the trophy nine years later, following a stunning semi-final comeback victory over Raymond van Barneveld.

He beat Mervyn King in the final to add the world crown to his 1999 Masters title.

That set up a Sky Box Office encounter with PDC champion Phil Taylor, which saw Fordham retire mid-game due to health concerns.

WEIGHT BATTLE

Fordham once weighed 31 stone and downed 25 bottles of lager a day before tackling his health issues.

Despite shedding the pounds and battling, his darts career began to slump and he took time off to re-hone his skills.

‘DEVASTATED’

Kevin Painter wrote: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news that Andy Fordham has passed away,a darting legend and one of the nicest guys on the planet,thoughts are with the family at this time.. RIP Andy.”

Matthew Edgar added: “Sad to see the passing of a legend today. RIP Andy Fordham.”

KING OF DARTS

Lewis famously faced Fordham on his 2015 comeback at the Grand Slam of Darts, in which the Viking hit a 180 with his first three darts before succumbing to defeat.

Glen Durrant posted a photo of himself with Fordham in his tribute, and commented: “RIP Andy Fordham #Legend.”

TRIBUTES FLOOD IN

Tributes have flooded in for the oche star from across the sport.

Fellow former world champ Adrian Lewis tweeted: “Sad to hear the passing of a legend Andy Fordham our thoughts are with his family.”