Sport Is History

Pubs to Prime Time: The Phenonmenal Rise of Darts

Sport Is History

Show Notes

Bullseyes, pints and fancy dress, welcome to the whirlwind that is darts. So how did a game once only known for being played in pubs and clubs engulfed in cigarette smoke, make the miraculous rise to becoming a spectacle headlining huge venues on prime time television?

In this episode, Mark and Marcus run us through what made the sport so encapsulating back in the 1970s and 80s, the characters that laid down it's mainstream foundations and the success stories of the time, including one standout final between Eric Bristow and Bobby George.

Every week, Mark Pougatch and Marcus Buckland unpack unbelievable stories from the world of sporting history.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by Spiritland Creative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More from Sport Is History

Oct 22, 2026

Some sporting champions become immortal. Others win the biggest prize of their lives, produce a moment for the ages, and then somehow slip through the cracks of history.

Oct 15, 2026

In this second part of two, Mark and Marcus are joined by former cricketer turned journalist and broadcaster Simon Hughes to further unpack the GREATEST overseas XI English county cricket has seen. Otherwise known as 'The Analyst' Simon has played for the likes of Middlesex and Durham, along with transitioning into the world of media, reporting and commentating on many major platforms such as the BBC and Channel 4. He also hosts his own podcast 'The Analyst Inside Cricket'.

Oct 8, 2026

In this first part of two, Mark and Marcus go head-to-head to pick their ultimate All-Time XI of players who made their mark in the English game from overseas. From Viv Richards’ swagger and Shane Warne’s wizardry to Kumar Sangakkara’s class and Mark Waugh’s effortless elegance, the pair build their dream teams and debate who truly deserves a place in cricket’s travelling hall of fame.

Oct 1, 2026

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with racing driver Billy Monger to hear the story behind one of motorsport’s most remarkable comebacks.

Sep 24, 2026

Few athletes have transformed their sport quite like Jonah Lomu. A force of nature on the rugby pitch and a global icon beyond it, his story is one of extraordinary talent, cultural identity, personal struggle and an enduring legacy.

See all episodes →