Who is English darts star Ryan Searle?
RYAN Searle is an unconventional player — he throws darts like hammers, has long flowing hair and an eye condition meaning he cannot see where his arrows land.
Even so he’s one of the best on the planet, which he’ll be aiming to prove at the PDC World Darts Championship 2025.
Who is Ryan Searle?
Ryan Searle was born on October 21, 1987, in Wellington, Somerset.
He has become one of the most recognisable faces in professional darts — and not just because of his unorthodox appearance.
Ryan is known by the nickname “Heavy Metal” due to his rockstar hair, powerful throw and musical preferences.
His walk-on tune is an absolute banger — Paranoid by Black Sabbath.
Early career
Before his professional darts career, Ryan worked as a window cleaner.
His journey into professional darts began humbly, starting in local leagues and attending professional tournaments as a spectator.
In a remarkable moment of foresight, he once joked about competing on the big stage — a dream that would ultimately come true.
Ryan said: “I went to the Premier League Darts in Exeter as a spectator.
“I had just started playing in my local league, and I joked that one day I’d be on that stage competing with the best players in the world.”
Ryan’s breakthrough came with two Challenge Tour victories in 2016, earning him a Tour Card for the 2017 PDC campaign.
Since then, he has steadily climbed the ranks, achieving several notable accomplishments along the way.
Career highlights
- PDC Titles: Ryan has won five ranking PDC titles, showcasing his skill and consistency on the professional circuit.
- World Championship Performance: He made his PDC World Championship debut in 2019, reaching the last 16 on his first attempt. He repeated this feat in 2021.
- Players Championship Finals: In 2021, Ryan finished as runner-up in the Players Championship Finals, narrowly losing 11-10 to Peter Wright in a thrilling final.
- World Ranking: As of 2024, Ryan is ranked No. 20 on the PDC Order of Merit, reflecting his continued improvement and success.
- Pro breakthrough: Won his first Pro Tour title in 2020, defeating Michael van Gerwen 8-6.
- Nine-darter: Ryan hit a televised nine-dart finish at the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts, demonstrating his exceptional skill.
I had just started playing in my local league, and I joked that one day I’d be on that stage competing with the best players in the world
Ryan Searle
Unique characteristics
Ryan’s approach to darts is distinctive in several ways.
He is known for using unusually heavy darts, weighing 32 grams — significantly heavier than the typical 20-26 grams used by most professionals.
Ryan has astigmatism, a condition that affects his ability to see where his darts land.
Despite this challenge, he has developed a playing style that relies more on muscle memory and feel rather than visual confirmation.
Family life
Off the oche, Ryan is married to Sophie Cosh.
They have two children together — a daughter named Amelia and a son named Connor.
Ryan’s unique playing style, characterised by heavy darts and powerful throws, combined with his distinctive appearance, has made him a fan favourite.
His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring darts players, demonstrating that with dedication and hard work, it’s possible to overcome adversity and transform your passion into a successful professional career.