EXCLUSIVE: Greatbatch threw in a fund raiser for Cancer Research in Cambridgeshire – and says that was his last public appearance on the oche.
In 2002, Greatbatch went into the history books when he became the first player to throw nine perfect darts on live television, in the final of the Dutch Open.
Despite being diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, Greatbatch still qualified for the BDO world championship in 2009 and although the 45 year old reports his health is currently “fine,” he says he won’t be throwing darts competitively again.
“There won’t be a comeback,” said Greatbatch.
“I haven’t got the energy anymore and I haven’t got anything to prove.
“I can still throw darts, but not as well as I did.
“My health is fine, but my life has changed. Darts was my life, but lying in hospital for six weeks makes you think and I want to do other things now. I do some match fishing and go to watch Norwich City.”
Greatbatch leaves darts with his place in the sport’s history books secure.
Nobody had ever thrown the perfect leg live on television before he achieved the feat against Steve Coote in front of the Dutch cameras.
Six months later, Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor threw nine perfect darts live on Sky Sports and Greatbatch admitted: “It does annoy me that some people think Phil was the first to do it.
“But real darts fans know the truth.”