DARTS ICON COLIN HARRIS PASSES AWAY
22/04/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
COLIN HARRIS has sadly passed away at the age of 70.
The Harrows Darts co-founder was one of the driving forces behind the commercial boom of the sport and played a key role in shaping the modern game.
Harris’ journey in darts began at a remarkably young age, making darts on a school lathe as a teenager before selling them in local pubs.
He later opened a dart shop in Enfield, North London, where he stocked other brands alongside his own growing range of handcrafted products.
In 1973, he formally launched Harrows alongside his father Jack Harris and business partner Ron Woodhead.
The humble beginnings of the business saw darts produced in a shed behind the shop before it grew into a global powerhouse.
A true innovator, Harris went on to develop many of the features and products now standard across the sport.
Driven by a relentless desire to improve quality and performance, he helped turn Harrows into a worldwide name, exporting British-made darts to more than 100 countries.
His rise came at the perfect time, aligning with darts’ televised boom in the 1970s and 1980s.
Harris ensured Harrows was front and centre of that growth, striking key partnerships with top players including five-time world champion Eric Bristow.
Harrows expanded into larger premises in Hertfordshire and branched out into new areas such as soft-tip darts, reflecting the sport’s growing global appeal.
Harris’ focus on innovation, craftsmanship and understanding players’ needs helped set the standard for the entire industry.
Even in later years, he remained closely involved in the company’s direction.
When Harrows was sold in 2021, the transition was carefully handled to maintain continuity for staff, customers and the wider darts community.
Managing director Damian Ara paid tribute, saying: “Colin was a true pioneer of the darts industry and the driving force behind Harrows.
“His passion, innovation and commitment to quality helped shape the modern game as we know it today.
“Everyone at Harrows owes a huge debt to his vision and determination, and he will be greatly missed.”
Harris leaves behind a lasting legacy, not just through a globally recognised brand, but through a lifetime dedicated to elevating the game.
