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Russ Bray

Russ Bray (born 22 June 1957) is an English former professional referee, widely recognized as "The Voice" of the sport for his distinctive, booming announcements during matches in the (PDC). Bray began his professional refereeing career with the PDC in 1996 after serving as a road traffic officer with the . Over nearly three decades, he officiated 28 finals, becoming a central and iconic figure as evolved from a into a mainstream global . His signature calls, such as "one hundred and eighty" and "game on", have made him one of the most imitated personalities in . Bray retired from full-time refereeing following the 2023–24 final on 3 January 2024, marking the end of an era for fans who cherished his gravelly voice echoing through . In semi-retirement, he continues as a PDC , promoting the sport worldwide, while pursuing side ventures including a popular scoring app whose earnings reportedly doubled in 2024 due to the rise of young star . He has also appeared in minor acting roles, such as in the 2002 film Heartlands.

Early life and background

Childhood in Essex

Russ Bray was born on 22 June 1957 in South Ockendon, Essex, England. He grew up in the town of South Ockendon during the 1960s and early 1970s. Bray attended school locally in South Ockendon, completing his education at age 16 in 1973. During his school years, he developed an early interest in , beginning around of 13 or 14 and winning the event at his using pits before advancing to district competitions in nearby , .

Police service and athletics

Bray joined the as a in 1973 at the age of 16, shortly after finishing in South Ockendon, , and became a full in 1975. Bray was inspired to join by his older brother, who was already a . He served in until 1989, including approximately 12 years primarily as a , during which he encountered the more challenging aspects of policing, including responding to numerous fatal road accidents—approximately 60 in total—that exposed him to highly gruesome scenes requiring a detached to handle effectively. These experiences highlighted the "dark side" of the job, involving traumatic incidents that tested the resilience of . In addition to his police duties, Bray pursued athletics competitively, representing as an international high jumper and training at National Sports Centre. His career in the sport came to an abrupt end in the mid-1970s when he suffered a severe injury, snapping his during a pole vaulting session at ; fellow athlete assisted him to the hospital following the accident. Bray's time in the also fostered a sense of camaraderie through participation in team-based activities, including joining the force's team, which provided social bonding and introduced him to collective sportsmanship amid the demands of . This environment of teamwork helped balance the rigors of policing and indirectly led to becoming a recreational outlet after his athletic injury curtailed his jumping pursuits.

Darts playing career

Amateur and county achievements

Russ Bray began his darts journey in 1975 while working as a police officer, initially taking up the sport through social play before joining the Metropolitan Police darts team. This early involvement in team events allowed him to hone his skills and deepen his appreciation for the game's nuances, from scoring precision to competitive dynamics in league matches. As his proficiency grew, Bray represented Hertfordshire at the county level for many years, competing at a solid standard in domestic competitions. His county play emphasized consistent performances in inter-county fixtures, contributing to team efforts and building a reputation for reliability in high-pressure local encounters. Among his notable amateur successes, Bray reached the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open, showcasing his potential in regional tournaments beyond domestic leagues. He also maintained strong showings in pub and league play, including stints with in the London at venues like The Lamb in Plaistow, where he balanced competitive with his duties. These experiences solidified his passion for the sport during his formative years.

Professional and international play

Bray transitioned to the professional circuit in the late 1970s, building on his county-level experience with . During this period, he achieved notable success in international pairs competitions, partnering with five-time world champion to secure victories in events held in and . These triumphs highlighted Bray's competitive ability on the global stage, though his overall professional record positioned him as a reliable mid-tier player rather than a top-ranked contender, earning respect within the community for his steady performance.

Refereeing career

Entry into refereeing

Russ Bray's entry into refereeing occurred in 1993 during a county darts match when the scheduled referee failed to appear, prompting Bray to step in as a substitute. With his familiarity with the game from years of playing at the county level, Bray volunteered, stating, "I know my numbers," and handled the calling duties effectively on the spot. This impromptu debut marked the beginning of his transition from player to official, leveraging his deep expertise to maintain impartiality and accuracy in scorekeeping. Over the next three years, Bray built experience through early refereeing assignments in local and county events, primarily for , where similar absences of regular referees led to repeated opportunities for him to officiate. He served as a reserve referee and gradually took on more consistent roles, including calling for the county team after his initial success, which allowed him to refine his understanding of match flow and player dynamics without prior formal training. His playing background proved invaluable, providing skills such as precise score addition—essential for referees, as opposed to players who focus on strategic finishes—and an innate sense of fairness honed through competitive experience. Bray's first notable assignments at this stage included ongoing county matches, where his distinctive voice quickly drew attention from participants and spectators alike, earning positive feedback for his clear and engaging delivery. The community in recognized his reliability and game knowledge, with Bray noting that his calls "got noticed initially because of the voice," leading to informal endorsements that solidified his role before broader professional involvement. This grassroots progression over 1993–1996 established Bray as a trusted local figure, setting the foundation for his future in the sport.

PDC tenure and major events

Russ Bray joined the (PDC) as a in July 1996, marking the beginning of his 28-year tenure with the organization. His early experience in local refereeing smoothed the transition, allowing him to quickly establish himself as a key figure. Bray soon became the primary match caller for major PDC events, including the World Matchplay, where he made his debut that year, and he officiated high-stakes encounters with his distinctive booming voice that earned him the nickname "." Throughout his career, Bray refereed every from 1996 to 2024, encompassing 28 consecutive tournaments at . He was on the for numerous historic finals, including several of Taylor's record 16 world titles, such as the 2009 final where Taylor defeated 7-1. Bray's role extended to calling pivotal moments in these championships, contributing to the event's global appeal as attendance and television viewership surged during his involvement. Bray's tenure featured several iconic moments, including calling Phil Taylor's first televised nine-darter in the 2002 World Matchplay final against Chris Mason, the inaugural perfect leg in PDC history. He officiated other landmark nine-darters, such as Taylor's in the 2009 UK Open and Luke Littler's historic 16-year-old achievement at the 2024 World Championship. Controversial decisions also marked his career, notably a 2013 miscount during Taylor's match against Dean Winstanley, where an erroneous leg award due to a dart miscount led to PDC review and replay offers, though Taylor won 6-1. High-profile matches under Bray's watch, like the 2024 World final between Luke Humphries and Littler, highlighted his steady presence amid intense pressure and record crowds exceeding 3,500 per session. In November 2023, Bray announced his full-time retirement from refereeing, effective after the 2023/24 PDC World Darts Championship final on January 3, 2024, which he officiated between Humphries and Littler. Prior to the final, he was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the sport. This match served as his last televised ranking event, capping a career that saw him call over 500 major PDC matches. Post-retirement from full-time duties, Bray continued selective refereeing in World Series of Darts events, including the 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters, the 2025 Bahrain Darts Masters, and subsequent tournaments, allowing him to remain involved in the sport's international expansion.

Post-retirement activities

PDC ambassador role

In 2024, Russ Bray transitioned from full-time refereeing to the newly created role of PDC Ambassador, announced by the (PDC) alongside his retirement from televised ranking events at the conclusion of the 2023/24 World Darts Championship. This position allows him to remain deeply involved in the sport while leveraging his decades of experience to support its expansion. Bray's duties as include promoting on a global scale, particularly through oversight of international initiatives such as the PDC and the Australian , where he handles logistical coordination and fosters connections with emerging communities. He continues to represent the PDC at special events, including refereeing select matches on the circuit and contributing to the organization's affiliate tours to drive worldwide participation. For instance, under his involvement, qualifiers for India's team grew from 35 to 135 players, highlighting his role in building infrastructure like youth academies. Bray has emphasized the ambassador role's significance in advancing the PDC's growth, describing darts' evolution from a "pub game" to a "global phenomenon hurtling along at 100 miles an hour," with potential for future world champions from regions like and . His insights, informed by a refereeing legacy that spanned major tournaments and iconic moments, underscore the sport's transformation and the excitement of discovering global talent akin to players like or . In October 2025, Bray advocated for a event in the , citing the region's strong player base.

Media and public engagements

Following his retirement from full-time refereeing at the end of 2023, Russ Bray has maintained a prominent presence, offering insights into the evolution of through various and in 2024 and 2025. In a December 2024 , Bray reflected on the sport's transformation over his 28-year career, describing the as having grown "out of this world" from a niche event to a global spectacle attracting massive audiences. He appeared on the Love The Darts in November 2024, discussing his journey from scaffolder to iconic , and joined Huw Ware's in March 2025 to delve into his playing days and career highlights. Additionally, in a September 2024 Darts Planet TV , Bray reflected on his after the 2023/24 final, emphasizing the emotional weight of stepping away from full-time refereeing. Bray has provided expert predictions and commentary for major tournaments, particularly through broadcasts. In a November 2024 preview for the 2025 , he forecasted to defend his title and achieve back-to-back victories, declaring Humphries "the best player on the planet" ahead of challengers like and . By February 2025, Bray reiterated this view in another segment, stating there were "no two ways about it" regarding Humphries' supremacy, while acknowledging Littler's rapid rise and transformative impact on the sport's popularity. He also offered bold opinions on potential finals, such as predicting in January 2025 that a Littler versus van Gerwen matchup could produce the greatest World Championship final in history due to their contrasting styles and high stakes. Bray's public engagements have extended to international events, where he combines ambassadorial duties with on-site media interactions. At the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters in August, held at in , Bray made appearances including a promotional 9-dart challenge at on August 14, and discussed his career and Littler's influence in a interview the following day. These outings have highlighted his adjustment to retirement, with Bray noting in a December 2024 social media reflection that life away from constant tournament refereeing "will obviously take some getting used to," though he remains deeply involved through selective commitments. In November 2025, Bray praised retiring darts players for exiting at their peak in an interview, reflecting on the sport's ongoing . Bray's distinctive raspy voice continues to play a key role in popularizing in media, earning him enduring recognition as "The Voice" and amplifying the sport's excitement for global audiences. In a November 2024 interview, he expressed pride in how his calls—such as the elongated "one hundred and eighty"—have become synonymous with dramatic moments, contributing to ' mainstream appeal even post-retirement. His position with the PDC has provided a platform for these engagements, allowing him to bridge his refereeing legacy with ongoing commentary.

Other pursuits

Entertainment appearances

Bray has extended his distinctive voice and persona from darts refereeing into several cameo roles in , contributing to projects beyond sports broadcasting. In the 2002 British comedy-drama film Heartlands, directed by Damien O'Donnell, Bray played the Darts Announcer in a pub scene, marking one of his early credits. He provided in the 2013 animated fantasy film The Land of Sometimes, directed by Leon Joosen, where he voiced the Talking Town Entrance and performed the song "The Ballad of the River Slouch Sling," appearing alongside stars like and . On television, Bray served as a artist in the 2004 episode of the comedy panel show , delivering his signature style in a musical quiz context. He also made brief cameos in British series, including brief cameo appearances as an extra in the EastEnders, a walk-on role in the soap Family Affairs, and a non-speaking appearance as a in the Not Going Out. In the 2024 Sky Sports documentary Game of Throws: Inside Darts, Bray featured prominently as himself, offering insights into his refereeing career while embodying his "Voice of Darts" persona. These appearances have amplified Bray's fame beyond the darts community, exposing his gravelly, enthusiastic delivery to wider entertainment audiences and cementing his status as a recognizable voice in British media.

Business and personal interests

Following his from active refereeing, Russ Bray has pursued several entrepreneurial ventures tied to his legacy. In collaboration with a developer, he launched the Russ Bray Darts Scorer Pro app around 2017, which features his iconic voice announcing scores during and has become one of the most popular free apps on the . The app generates revenue through in-app purchases, with Bray typically earning £12,000–£13,000 annually; however, the surge in popularity driven by teenager Luke Littler's success in 2024 and 2025 more than doubled his earnings to approximately £30,000 in 2024. Bray has also capitalized on his fame through personalized video endorsements on the platform, charging £37.50 for 30-second messages, which collectively brought in £18,000 in 2024. These side hustles reflect how his darts persona has extended into commercial opportunities post-retirement. On a personal level, Bray enjoys recreational pursuits such as playing , which he has described as a passion that occasionally competes with his professional commitments, including participation in celebrity tournaments like the British Par 3 Pro-Am. He also plays the guitar as a , though he modestly notes he is not particularly skilled but finds it enjoyable in his spare time. Additionally, Bray embraces a rural lifestyle on a farm in , where he engages in hands-on activities like mucking out stables.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Russ Bray has been married to Sue Bray since after his divorce from his first wife in 1990. The couple maintains a private , residing together but largely keeping details out of the public eye. Bray has four children with his wife Sue—two sons and two daughters—including his eldest son and daughter —as well as a step-son. He also has children from his previous . Following his 1990 divorce, his first wife retained primary custody of the children, a arrangement Bray has reflected on in interviews as part of his early family challenges. In his personal relationships within the community, Bray shared a close friendship with the late , the five-time world champion known as the "Crafty ." Bray has described Bristow as a significant influence and good friend until Bristow's death in 2018.

Residence and hobbies

Russ Bray resides on a in , , where he has embraced a quieter rural that contrasts with his high-profile career in . This move to the countryside, shared with his wife, allows him to focus on home-based routines, including the daily care of a few horses stabled on the property. Bray has described himself as "very much a home man," finding contentment in these hands-on farm activities such as mucking out the stables and tending to the animals, which provide a grounding sense of routine post-retirement. Bray's hobbies reflect a balanced approach to and personal fulfillment, with emerging as a primary pursuit; he frequently plays on nearby courses, appreciating the sport's blend of and relaxation. He also enjoys playing the guitar in his spare time, using it as a creative outlet to unwind amid his rural surroundings. These interests align with Bray's overarching philosophy of "always take the positives out of life," a he credits for maintaining through career transitions and personal challenges. Retirement has enabled Bray to deepen his engagement with these hobbies, incorporating them into routines that support his after years of demanding travel and vocal strain on the darts circuit. Golf, in particular, serves as gentle exercise, while farm tasks contribute to an active daily regimen that promotes both physical and mental .

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