The Night Jamie "Bravedart" Harvey Finally Put Down His Arrows

By Lewis Barnett 4 September, 2025 5 mins read 530 Views

God, this one hits different.

Jamie Harvey - you know, the guy who literally fell through a hole on live TV and somehow made it legendary - passed away at 70 this week. And honestly? I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to write about a man who was basically the embodiment of everything chaotic and beautiful about darts in the '90s. The sport feels a little emptier today, if I'm being real about it.

Audio Playback

When Darts Was Still Gloriously Unhinged

Look, if you weren't around during Harvey's heyday, you missed something special. This was back when the PDC was still called the World Darts Council, when everything felt like it was held together with duct tape and pure audacity. Harvey wasn't just playing - he was one of the founding rebels who broke away from the stuffy BDO establishment in 1993.

Thirteen straight appearances at the Circus Tavern. Thirteen! That's not just consistency, that's basically living at the venue.

His best run came in 1995/96 when he made it to the World Championship semi-finals, back when reaching that stage actually meant something because there weren't 128 players getting a shot. He also hit the semis at the World Matchplay in '96, and honestly, watching him play was like watching someone who genuinely didn't give a damn about looking pretty - just about winning.

That Hole Thing (Yeah, We Have to Talk About It)

Everyone remembers the fall. Everyone. It's probably on YouTube right now getting viewed by some kid who thinks modern darts is wild.

But here's what I love about Harvey - he spent years insisting it wasn't his fault. "Sky Sports had a flowerpot in front of a hole on the stage," he'd say, like that somehow made it less ridiculous. During a TV break, practicing with Keith Deller against Bob Anderson and Phil Taylor (imagine that lineup today), Sky removes the flowerpot without telling anyone, and boom - Harvey disappears into the floor like some kind of dartboard magician.

Anderson thought he did it on purpose to throw them off their game. "They were p****** themselves!" Harvey said later, and you know what? Good for them.

The Fight That Actually Mattered

2010 changed everything. Throat cancer diagnosis, ten-hour surgery, chemo, radiotherapy, lost his voicebox, dropped four stone. The works.

Most people would've called it quits right there. Harvey? Nah. He got a permanent laryngectomy stoma fitted so he could keep talking, kept throwing arrows for his Ayrshire county team, and basically told cancer to get in line behind everyone else who thought they could stop him. That's where the "Bravedart" nickname really earned its keep.

I remember thinking at the time - this guy's showing up to local matches with a hole in his throat, still hitting doubles, still talking trash (probably). That's not just brave, that's borderline insane in the best possible way.

Phil Taylor's Perfect Game, Harvey's Perfect Exit

The 2008 UK Open. Harvey's final televised match, though nobody knew it at the time. Phil Taylor threw a nine-darter against him, and honestly? There's something poetic about going out on the receiving end of perfection from the greatest player who ever lived.

Harvey retired the following year, probably knowing what was coming with his health. His only PDC-ranked title was the 2000 Antwerp Open, beating Roland Scholten in the final - not exactly a household name victory, but a win's a win.

What We Lost

James Harvey announced his dad "passed away peacefully at home surrounded by all his loved ones," which is about as good as these things get.

Alan Warriner-Little's tribute hit me: "Myself Eric (Bristow) and Mace (Chris Mason) spent a lot of time together back in the day, usually in the bars around the world it has to be said. Will miss you pal." That's the real darts tour right there - not just the oche, but everything that happened after.

Harvey represented something we don't see much anymore: pure, unfiltered personality in a sport that's gotten increasingly polished. He was world No. 4 at his peak, but more importantly, he was unforgettable.

Rest easy, Bravedart. Thanks for falling through that hole and making us all laugh.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

Statistics

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.

External Links

How To

Throwing Technique: The Basics

The perfect dart throw is all about consistency. Your arm should move like a pendulum, with the elbow as the pivot point. The dart should travel in a straight line toward the target, not in an arc.