33 Facts About Andy Fordham

Andrew Fordham was an English professional darts player, commonly known as The Viking.

Andy Fordham won the 2004 BDO World Darts Championship and the 1999 Winmau World Masters.

Andy Fordham made his first appearance on the stage at Lakeside in the 1995 BDO World Darts Championship and reached the semi-finals before losing to Richie Burnett.

Second round defeats followed in 1997 and 1998 before Andy Fordham made it to the semi-final stage of the World Championship for third time in 1999, but was defeated by Ronnie Baxter.

Andy Fordham finally put an end to his "nearly man" reputation in the 2004 World Championship.

On 21 November 2004, Andy Fordham, as reigning BDO world champion, faced off against Phil Taylor, the reigning PDC world champion, in a best-of-13-sets match at Purfleet's Circus Tavern.

Andy Fordham took a break after the seventh set and was advised not to continue by medical staff at the venue.

Andy Fordham's health had long been a concern; at one point he weighed 31 stone and was in the habit of regularly consuming 24 bottles of lager before going on stage to play darts.

Andy Fordham admitted to the media that he had felt more comfortable playing when not fully sober.

The doctors' advice led Andy Fordham to seek help and assistance via the television programme Celebrity Fit Club, where he became friends with the journalist and TV presenter Paul Ross.

Andy Fordham was scheduled to face Whitlock again in the first round of the 2007 BDO World Darts Championship, but prior to the tournament starting he was again hospitalised after complaining of chest pains and breathing difficulties.

Andy Fordham was withdrawn from the tournament, with Whitlock receiving a walkover to the second round.

Less than one week after being discharged from hospital, Andy Fordham suffered what was initially thought to be a minor stroke, but which turned out to be severe breathing difficulties caused by further fluid build-up in his lungs.

In September 2007, after a nine-month absence from darts due to his health issues, Andy Fordham made a low-key return to the oche at the Turunc Open in Turkey.

Andy Fordham did comparatively well, reaching the semi-final of the singles event where he lost to the eventual winner Martin Phillips from Wales.

Andy Fordham won one match in an attempt to qualify for the 2008 Lakeside World Championship, but went out in the last 128 and lost in his opening match at the last 136 stage of the Winmau World Masters.

Andy Fordham eventually lost to James Wade in the last 64 stage.

Andy Fordham extended his long running partnership with leading darts sponsor Winmau in May 2013.

Andy Fordham was awarded a wild card for the televised stages at the 2014 BDO World Trophy and faced Alan Norris in the first round.

Andy Fordham was unable to qualify from a group consisting of Adrian Lewis, Michael Smith and Wayne Jones.

Andy Fordham failed to qualify from his group because of an inferior legs difference to Brian Dawson.

Also in 2015, Andy Fordham notably reached the quarter-finals of the Jersey Classic and the last 16 of the Hal Masters, German Masters and BDO International Open.

In September 2015, Andy Fordham was awaiting clearance to play darts for the White Bear in the Chorley Darts and Dominoes League.

Andy Fordham extended his partnership with Winmau for a further five years in April 2016.

Andy Fordham was unveiled as an ambassador for the British Disability Darts Association in May 2016.

Andy Fordham attempted to qualify for the 2018 World Masters, reaching the last 272.

Andy Fordham was the eldest of a brother and two sisters.

Andy Fordham grew up in Charlton, south-east London and attended Charlton Manor Primary School and Eaglesfield Secondary School.

Andy Fordham was a keen track-and-field athlete in his younger days and was nicknamed 'The Whippet' at school.

Andy Fordham was a fan of Rangers, and paraded his BDO World Championship trophy before a game at Ibrox Stadium in 2004.

Andy Fordham was a fan of Millwall, and paraded his trophy at half-time of a match at The Den.

On 15 July 2021, Andy Fordham died in hospital from organ failure after a long battle with health problems.

Andy Fordham had been a heavy drinker and was diagnosed with cirrhosis, where reportedly more than 70 per cent of his liver had been destroyed.