DARTS legend Peter Wright nearly quit the sport to work as a window fitter before going on to become a two-time world champion and one of the most recognisable stars on the oche.
Here we take a look at Snakebite’s marriage status and net worth.
Peter Wright has conquered Ally Pally twice and is one of the most recognisable stars in the sport
Who is Peter Wright?
Peter Wright was born on March 10, 1979, in Livingston, Scotland, but moved to London at the age of five.
Wright is No 8 in the darts world rankings heading into the Premier League Darts, having surprisingly crashed out of the World Championships in the second round.
He previously won a world title at Ally Pally in 2020 and 2022.
Peter is nicknamed Snakebite from his love of snakes — not the alcoholic drink.
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He is married to Joanne, who is the mastermind behind his infamous hair styles, but the couple like to keep much of their private life out of the public spotlight.
Wright recently revealed to SunSport that Jo is also responsible for his finances and he lives off a weekly budget of £200 a week despite earning millions over the course of his career.
The sportsman, who worked odd jobs before turning pro, nearly quit darts to take work as a window fitter, but thanks to support from his wife Jo and her father, has made it to the pinnacle of the game.
Speaking of his previous employment, Peter said: “Cleaning cars and at 12 or 13 working on the Bil-Co lorries – they had crates on the back and delivered the lemonades and Cokes to the flats.
“I did the Youth Training Scheme as a motor mechanic, although I didn’t finish the course, and worked as a labourer on building sites.
“I was a pot washer in a Warner’s holiday camp kitchen when I was 22. That was where I met Jo. She was a waitress.
“Later I went back into the garages to become a tyre and exhaust fitter – I gave it up in 2008 to play professional darts.”
In 2008 the father of three went full-time as a darts player, making just £1,200 in prize money in his first season.
He told The Telegraph in 2022: “In 2007 I was watching the Grand Slam of Darts on TV — at the time I still played local competitions — and, seeing the players, I said to Jo: ‘I can beat him and I can beat him.’
“She said: ‘Go on then. If you think you can do it, let’s do it.’ And I tried.
“In my first year as a professional I made the dismal amount of £1,200.”
Wright’s partner Jo is a hairdresser who manages the darts star’s finances.
He revealed: “Nine times out of 10 I’m overdrawn. I’m probably the poorest darts player who’s world number 1.
“My prize money gets paid into my wife’s company account and I’m paid a wage. Jo sorts out the business side for when I retire.
“My opportunity to play darts is because my wife and her father backed me from the beginning.
“When I got to my first ‘Worlds’ final in 2014 I was going to give darts up as we had no money left.
“Jo didn’t realise I’d spent it all and I knew I needed to win before she found out.
“We didn’t even own a house and Jo was the only one who sponsored me to cover my playing expenses such as flights, hotels and entry fees.
“That’s why she takes control of all the money now.”
What is Peter Wright’s net worth and how much prize money has he won?
Wright’s net worth is estimated to be around £3million, according to reports on his career prize money earnings.
His wife Joanne is in charge of his finances, giving the player a budget of £200 a week.
According to the main Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) Order of Merit, which is based on prize money won over a two-year period by players in ranking tournaments, Wright is currently eighth in the standings on £498,000.
What is the PDC World Darts Championship prize money?
A total of £1,000,000 prize money will be paid out at the Premier League Darts.
This breaks down as follows:
Winner: £275,000
Runner-up: £125,000
Losing semi-finalists: £85,000
Fifth place: £75,000
Sixth place: £70,000
Seventh place: £65,000
Eighth place: £60,000
Winner’s bonus per tournament: £10,000 (x16)