Peter Wright, nicknamed ‘Snakebite’, is a two-time reigning world champion, having won the PDC World Darts Championship in 2020 and 2022. He is also the reigning World Matchplay champion and is ranked number one on the PDC Order of Merit.
When he was 24, Wright qualified for the first round of the 1995 BDO World Darts Championship but then stopped playing darts professionally, working instead as a builder and tyre fitter while competing in local darts leagues. He resumed his professional darts career in his late 30s, playing his first full schedule of PDC events in 2008.
He qualified for his first PDC World Darts Championship in 2010, entered the top 16 for the first time in 2013, and reached his first world final in 2014, where he was runner-up to Michael van Gerwen. He won his first major PDC title at the 2017 UK Open; as of January 2022, he has won seven major PDC titles.
He has made one televised nine-dart finish at the 2020 Premier League Darts.
Known for his flamboyant stage persona, Wright typically wears colourful attire, multicoloured Mohican hairstyles created by his hairdresser wife Joanne, and elaborate designs painted on his head. He is known for performing a sidestep dance before his matches to the song “Don’t Stop the Party” by Pitbull.
Getting ready for the Premier League Darts challenge
Peter Wright is feeling refreshed as he hopes to continue his Premier League Darts challenge with a massive clash against James Wade at London’s O2 Arena. The World Champion sits in fourth place in the Premier League table with two league nights remaining.
‘Snakebite’ has lost in the quarter-finals of Premier League nights in Dublin, Glasgow and Sheffield recently as well as enduring three last 32 exits on the European Tour circuit.
A unique style
Wright has become known for his colourful Mohican hairstyle and extravagant clothing, which change between every round of his tournaments. His hair takes two hours to complete and is done by his hairdresser wife Joanne and inspired by their daughter. He usually has a snake painted on to the side of his head, which many believed was a reference to his favourite drink, the snakebite, which is also Wright’s nickname.
However, he is actually called Snakebite due to his love of snakes, stating in an interview after his first World Championship win, “I just like snakes. I’m a bit like a snake – I’m a quiet person who likes to be left alone. If you keep poking me, I’ll bite you,” he said.
Wright equates his look to applying war paint before going into battle, as he is naturally shy away from the oche. In the past, he has used specially designed darts which changed colour depending on the light. Wright regularly tries different sets of darts as he tweaks the weight, flights, and stems. He did so between every round when he reached the 2014 World Championship final.
