Tony Green was born in Kingston-upon-Hill in England in 1939. He was a former player, who played county darts for Lancashire. But he would not become well-known as a player, but as a referee and even more as a commentator and tv personality.

Since the first tournament in 1978, Green has been the trusted voice of the BDO (British Darts Organisation) World Darts Championship on tv. As a commentator at the BBC, he does that job until 2016 when the BBC broadcasts the tournament for the last time. But Green became a household name after appearing in the Sunday afternoon ITV darts show Bullseye, hosted by comedian Jim Bowen. Green’s voice-overs and commentary, as ­contestants played for a series of prizes, became huge catchphrases – ­particularly ‘And Bully’s special prize...” The show used to attract around 15 million viewers in the 1980s.

Before he became a commentator, he was a referee too at big tournaments such as the Winmau World Masters and WDF World- and Europe cups. In December 2010, it was announced on the BDO website that Green had been diagnosed with cancer on the tongue and as a result would not be commentating on the forthcoming 2011 Lakeside World Darts Championship. He returned in 2012 after a speedy recovery.

Behind the mic for 38 of the first 39 BDO World Championships, missing only one due to illness, he steered the BBC coverage throughout its heyday as well as the more acrimonious years of the split. When his pal and commentating colleague Sid Waddell decided to depart the BBC for Sky’s PDC World Championship, he remained, striking up a fantastic partnership with John Part, David Croft and the many great voices that followed.

His many years in the commentary booth naturally saw him give commentary to some of the game’s great moments. That included legendary champions Rees, Lowe, Bristow, Wilson and Taylor as well as the later generation including Beaton, Van Barneveld and Burnett and, of course, Paul Lim’s 9 darter against Jack McKenna in 1990.

Tony Green died in March 2024 at the age of 85.