Peter Wright, the flamboyant Scottish darts maestro known as “Snakebite,” has long been a fan favorite for his colorful mohawk, vibrant outfits, and two PDC World Championship titles. However, in 2025, the 55-year-old finds himself at a crossroads, battling to rediscover the magic that once saw him dominate the oche. After undergoing a dramatic physical transformation, shedding an impressive three stone (approximately 19 kilograms), Wright has admitted to a surprising downside: “He feels like he’s lost some of the power in his throw.” This candid revelation, shared through a conversation with darts pundit Dan Dawson, underscores a challenging phase for the eight-time major winner, whose recent performances have raised questions about his ability to reclaim his former glory.
Wright’s weight loss journey began as a quest for better health and vitality. “I was talking to him yesterday and asked him about the weight loss—he reckons he’s shifted three stone,” Dawson shared, noting Wright’s disciplined approach of eating just one meal a day. The transformation has left the Scot feeling “fantastic” physically and mentally, with a renewed sense of energy and optimism. “Physically and mentally, he says he feels amazing—so much better,” Dawson added, highlighting Wright’s enthusiasm for his leaner physique. Yet, this drastic change has come with an unexpected cost. The power behind his trademark silky-smooth throw, a hallmark of his game during his 2020 and 2022 world title runs, seems diminished. “He also admits he feels like he’s lost some of the power in his throw,” Dawson revealed, pointing to a struggle that has seen Wright’s darts “not landing the way he wants.”
This dip in form was starkly evident at the recent Czech Darts Open, where Wright, now ranked world No. 16, suffered a heartbreaking 6-5 defeat to Stephen Bunting in the third round. Leading 5-3 with a match dart at tops, Wright faltered, allowing Bunting to capitalize and snatch victory. The loss was a microcosm of Wright’s 2025 season—a campaign marked by flashes of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. Once a dominant force, capable of averaging over 100 in high-stakes matches, Wright’s recent outings have been lackluster, with a sobering 74.62 average in a 6-1 thrashing by Luke Woodhouse at the Flanders Darts Trophy. His checkout percentage in that match languished at a mere 14.3%, a far cry from the clinical finishing that defined his prime.
Despite these setbacks, Wright’s story is one of resilience. His weight loss, inspired partly by Luke Humphries’ transformation into a dominant world champion after slimming down, reflects a desire to adapt and evolve. Humphries’ success after shedding weight has been a beacon for Wright, who hopes a similar reinvention can spark a resurgence. “We’ve already seen what losing weight did for Luke Humphries. He became a far better player,” Dawson noted, drawing parallels between the two. Yet, for Wright, the adjustment has been tougher. The physical overhaul, while boosting his health, has altered the mechanics of his throw, a finely tuned craft honed over decades. Known for frequently switching darts—sometimes mid-tournament—Wright’s tinkering has long been a quirky hallmark, but his current struggles suggest a deeper challenge in recalibrating his game.
Wright’s career is a testament to perseverance. After qualifying for the 1995 BDO World Championship at age 24, he stepped away from professional darts, working as a builder and tyre fitter while competing in local leagues. Returning to the PDC in his late 30s, he defied the odds to become world No. 1 in 2022, winning the World Championship and World Matchplay. His journey from obscurity to stardom, marked by iconic walk-ons and a flair for the dramatic, has endeared him to fans. Yet, 2025 has tested his resolve. Pundits Glen Durrant and Dan Dawson have voiced concerns, with Durrant lamenting, “Peter Wright, I think he knows deep down his game is just not there right now.” Dawson pointed to a broader decline, noting, “Peter Wright’s form started dropping off when he actually started skipping some tournaments.”
As Wright prepares for upcoming events like the World Grand Prix, his trademark defiance remains. “I am trying to inspire myself and play like the old Snakebite, but I am coming back,” he declared after defeating Benjamin Pratnemer at the Czech Open, a spark of the confidence that once saw him topple Michael van Gerwen. His fans, ever loyal, continue to rally behind him, drawn to his charisma and colorful persona. “I was thrown out at the exit, I went through many people in the crowd, there are so many Snakebite fans, and I really, really appreciate it,” he said, his gratitude palpable. With plans to lose even more weight through diet and exercise—jokingly mentioning his wife teaching him to swim—Wright is determined to turn the tide.
The road ahead is daunting, but Wright’s history suggests he’s far from finished. His 2024 World Championship run, where he upset defending champion Luke Humphries, proved he can still compete with the best. As he navigates this new phase, balancing health gains with the quest for form, Wright’s journey remains a compelling chapter in darts’ colorful narrative. Whether he can rediscover the power in his throw and climb back to the top remains to be seen, but for Snakebite, the fight is far from over.
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