Darts professional Jack Tweddell is on the cusp of winning a life-changing £60,000 prize this weekend, marking a remarkable comeback from a health crisis that saw him suffer two mini-strokes and struggle to walk.
From Health Crisis to Championship Contender
The 30-year-old from Swindon will compete in the ADC Global Championship Grand Final in Portsmouth on Sunday, streamed live on Pluto TV. This comes after a stellar season where he narrowly missed qualifying for the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Tweddell's journey back to the oche is nothing short of extraordinary. Doctors believe he suffered two mini-strokes in recent years, with the most severe occurring five or six years ago. The last episode left him unable to walk properly for over a year, requiring the use of crutches. "I was out of the game for three or four years," Tweddell revealed. "They're still not 100 per cent sure what happened to me."
His return began modestly about three and a half years ago when his partner suggested putting a dartboard back up in their kitchen. Since then, the data analyst for Amazon has rebuilt his game and established himself as a top player on the amateur circuit.
A New Perspective on the Game
Once a highly-touted youth prospect and brother to former PDC Tour card holder Chris Aubrey, Tweddell now approaches darts with a philosophy forged by his health battles. He admits to putting excessive pressure on himself in his younger days, but his outlook has fundamentally shifted.
"Now it's like, 'If I can't play darts tomorrow, at least I can walk properly, or at least better,'" he says. "There's perspective and I think that's why I started playing quite well and more consistently." This relaxed mindset, focusing on gratitude for his recovery, has been key to his improved and consistent performances.
The ADC Championship, which started with 56 players vying for a £150,000 total prize fund, is now down to its final eight competitors. Tweddell faces Tom Sykes in the quarter-finals, with the action starting at 1pm, followed by semi-finals at 3pm and the final at 4pm.
Eyes on a Professional Future
Beyond Sunday's final, Tweddell has his sights set on securing a coveted PDC Tour card at the upcoming Q-School later this month. His appearances as a top-up player in PDC Players Championship events this season have shown he can compete at the professional level.
Reflecting on his achievements in 2025, just two years after his return, Tweddell said modestly, "It's not a bad effort." His story is a powerful testament to resilience, transforming a personal health struggle into a driving force for sporting success. Whether he claims the £60,000 top prize or not, his presence in the final is already a significant victory.
