The world of darts lost one of its most popular and recognisable champions on this day in 2021, with the death of Andy ‘The Viking’ Fordham at the age of 59. A formidable and beloved figure on the circuit, his name is synonymous with one of the most memorable title runs in the history of the sport.
Fordham’s crowning achievement came in 2004 when he captured the BDO World Championship title at the Lakeside. In a memorable final, he defeated Mervyn King by a scoreline of 6-3 to lift the famous trophy, cementing his place on the esteemed list of BDO world champions. It was the culmination of a career that had established him as a major force in the game.
An Unforgettable Semi-Final
While his final victory was commanding, Fordham’s path to the title that year is perhaps best remembered for a semi-final encounter that has passed into Lakeside legend. Facing the great Raymond van Barneveld, the Englishman found himself trailing 0-3 in sets. From that perilous position, he mounted a remarkable recovery to win the match, a contest still regarded as one of the most dramatic ever witnessed in the history of the World Championship.
Born on 2 February 1962, Andy Fordham remained one of the most popular figures ever to grace the Frimley Green stage throughout his career and beyond. His passing on 15 July 2021 was met with great sadness from players and fans across the darting world, who remembered a gentle giant and a world-class champion.
