The News of the World Darts Championship was one among many televised darts events in 1983. Eric Bristow had failed to qualify for the final stage several times before finally winning the title in 1983. All players needed to win through in county and regional stages of the competition to reach the final stages, which had been first televised in 1972. TV coverage ceased after the 1988 competition and the event was discontinued in 1990. The event was revived for one year in 1997 and was shown on Sky Sports. Matches were short, with just two legs being required for victory. The oche was slightly longer than most tournaments, being a full 8 feet from the board to the toe line. From 1978 until 1988 the event was held at Wembley Arena, Wembley, London. From 1989âÂÂ90 it was held at Docklands Arena, London and in 1997 it was held at Villa Park, Birmingham.
John Lowe lost in the final of the Midland Counties Divisional finals to Eric Bristow.
Eric Bristow lost in the first round of the Staffordshire County finals to Robin Feltham. John Lowe, Jocky Wilson and Mike Gregory also failed to qualify for the final stage.
Steve Beaton beat reigning world champion John Lowe in the semi finals and five times world champion Eric Bristow in the final of Midland Counties Divisional finals.
Phil Taylor lost in the semi finals of the Staffordshire County finals. Steve Jones beat John Lowe in the semi finals of the Midland Counties Divisional finals.
Eric Bristow lost in the quarter finals (to Mick Plevyn) and Phil Taylor lost in the semi finals of the North Staffordshire heats, played at Bristow's public house The Crafty Cockney. Darrell Morley beat John Lowe in the final of the Derbyshire County finals. Mike Gregory failed to win a hat-trick of titles. He lost in the first round of the Western Counties Divisional finals to Chris Whiting.
Reigning world champion Phil Taylor lost in the first round of the Staffordshire sub-area finals to Mark Flowers, played at Eric Bristow's public house The Crafty Cockney. Flowers beat Bristow in the semi finals on the same day.