Gary Anderson "The Flying Scotsman" 
One of the all-time greats — a two-time World Champion with one of the smoothest, most natural throws the sport has ever seen, and the man who toppled Phil Taylor on the biggest stage of all.
Gary Anderson At A Glance
| Full Name | Gary Anderson |
| Date of Birth | 22 December 1970 (age 55) |
| Place of Birth | Musselburgh, Scotland |
| Home Town | Eyemouth, Scotland (Burnham-on-Sea, England) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Nickname | The Flying Scotsman |
| Walk-On Song | "Jump Around" by House of Pain |
| PDC Ranking | World No. 12 (peak World No. 2, 2015–2017) |
| Playing Since | 1996 (PDC from 2009) |
| Darts Used | 23g Unicorn Signature (Phase 6) |
| Favourite Double | Double 20 |
| Major Titles | World Championship (2015, 2016), World Matchplay (2018), UK Open (2018), Champions League (2018), 2× Premier League (2011, 2015), PC Finals (2014) & more |
| Career Prize Money | Over £5.46m |
The Story of Gary Anderson
When darts fans talk about pure, natural throwing ability, one name comes up time and again: Gary Anderson. The Flying Scotsman has one of the most effortless actions the game has ever produced — and a trophy cabinet to match. He's not just a great player, he's a genuine legend of the sport.
Born on 22 December 1970 in Musselburgh and hailing from Eyemouth on the Scottish coast, Anderson came to darts relatively late, picking up the game properly in 1996. He made his name in the BDO, winning four BDO major titles — the International Darts League, the World Darts Trophy and the Finder Masters in 2007, plus a second Finder Masters in 2008 — and topping the WDF world rankings. He represented Scotland with distinction, lifting Six Nations Cups and a WDF Europe Cup along the way.
Gary Anderson in full flow — that famously smooth, natural throwing action.
In early 2009 he made the switch to the PDC, and it's there that he truly cemented his greatness. The crowning glory came at the 2015 World Championship, where he defeated the great Phil Taylor 7–6 in a final for the ages to lift his first Sid Waddell trophy. He went and did it again the very next year, beating Adrian Lewis 7–5 in 2016 to become back-to-back World Champion — a feat only a handful of players have ever managed.
The majors kept coming: the Premier League (in 2011 and 2015), the 2018 World Matchplay, UK Open and Champions League, plus the Players Championship Finals in 2014. He was part of the Scotland team that won the 2019 World Cup of Darts alongside Peter Wright, and his 39 PDC Pro Tour titles put him third on the all-time list behind only Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.
Now ranked world number twelve and still going strong in his mid-fifties, Anderson remains a dangerous floater nobody fancies drawing. The Gary Anderson darts legacy is firmly secured among the all-time greats.
What Darts Does Gary Anderson Use?
It's one of the most-searched questions in the sport — and for good reason. Gary Anderson uses 23g Unicorn signature darts, his famous Phase 6 range. Developed with Unicorn over many years and multiple iterations, the Phase 6 is finely tuned to suit Anderson's beautifully smooth, fluid throwing style.
The barrel's grip pattern gives Anderson clean, repeatable purchase without ever feeling fussy — a perfect match for a player whose whole game is built on that relaxed, natural release. The 23g weight sits right in the classic professional sweet spot: enough heft to drive through the wires for those big scores he's famous for, light enough to keep his lovely effortless tempo intact. If you've ever wondered what makes the Gary Anderson Phase 6 darts so popular with club players, it's that blend of pedigree and feel.
A set fit for a two-time World Champion — and a brilliant choice for any player chasing a smooth, consistent throw.
Gary Anderson's Full Gear Setup
Want to throw like The Flying Scotsman? Here's the complete Gary Anderson darts setup — his Unicorn flights and the wallet that keeps it all together. Every item below is the genuine Unicorn signature range.
Unicorn Gary Anderson Signature Flights
Anderson's signature Unicorn flights, designed to steady the dart in the air and keep his grouping tight. Made from durable material to stand up to heavy use, finished in his unmistakable Flying Scotsman styling. A simple but essential part of the full Phase 6 setup.
Unicorn Gary Anderson Flights — Alternative Design
A second design in Anderson's signature flight range, giving you another option to match your setup. Same Unicorn quality and durability, just a different look — handy for keeping a spare set in your wallet or mixing up your style.
Unicorn Gary Anderson Dart Wallet
Keep your arrows safe and tidy in Anderson's signature Unicorn wallet. It holds your fully assembled darts plus spare flights, shafts and points in a slim, protective case that survives being chucked in a bag. Branded in The Flying Scotsman's own styling — the perfect finishing touch.
Gary Anderson Career Highlights
2007 — BDO Major Breakthrough
Wins the International Darts League and World Darts Trophy back-to-back, beating world champions from both organisations and finishing the year as WDF world number one.
2009 — The PDC Switch
Makes the move to the PDC, marking his televised debut with a three-dart average of 107 in an exhibition against John Part.
2011 — First Premier League Title
Lands his first PDC major with the Premier League crown, announcing himself as a genuine force at the top of the game.
2015 — World Champion: Toppling Phil Taylor
The defining night of his career — Anderson defeats the legendary Phil Taylor 7–6 in an all-time classic World Championship final to be crowned champion of the world for the first time.
2016 — Back-to-Back World Champion
Defeats Adrian Lewis 7–5 to retain his world title, joining the elite club of players to win the Worlds in consecutive years.
2018 — Matchplay, UK Open & Champions League
A stunning year of major silverware, adding the World Matchplay, UK Open and Champions League titles to his glittering CV.
2019 — World Cup Glory with Scotland
Partners Peter Wright to win the World Cup of Darts for Scotland — a proud moment for the tartan army.
Playing Style & Technique
Ask any darts pundit to name the smoothest thrower in the game, and Gary Anderson is almost always the first name out. His action is the stuff of coaching videos — relaxed, fluid and utterly natural, with none of the tension or hitches that creep into other players' games. It's a thing of beauty to watch.
The Flying Scotsman on the big stage — heavy scoring and an effortless rhythm have defined his career.
That smoothness translates into serious scoring power. Anderson is one of the most prolific 180-hitters the game has seen, capable of stringing together maximums in a blur and racing into leads before opponents have settled. When he gets into a rhythm, he's as devastating as anyone who's ever played.
For all his attacking flair, it's his big-stage temperament that turned talent into trophies. Beating Phil Taylor in a World final, then backing it up the following year, takes nerve as well as ability. Even now, well into his fifties, that natural class hasn't faded — which is exactly why nobody enjoys seeing his name next to theirs in the draw.
Anderson's game is the ultimate lesson in a relaxed, repeatable throw — let it flow rather than forcing it. If you want to build a smoother action of your own, have a read of our complete guide on how to throw darts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What darts does Gary Anderson use?
Gary Anderson uses 23g Unicorn Gary Anderson signature darts — the Phase 6 range, made from tungsten and tuned for his smooth, heavy-scoring throwing style.
How old is Gary Anderson?
Gary Anderson was born on 22 December 1970 in Musselburgh, Scotland, which makes him 55 years old as of 2026.
What is Gary Anderson's walk-on song?
Gary Anderson's walk-on song is "Jump Around" by House of Pain.
Why is Gary Anderson called The Flying Scotsman?
The nickname "The Flying Scotsman" is a nod to his Scottish roots and his fast, fluid throwing style — borrowing the name of the famous Scottish steam locomotive.
How many World Championships has Gary Anderson won?
Gary Anderson has won the PDC World Championship twice, back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, beating Phil Taylor and then Adrian Lewis in the finals.
What is the Gary Anderson Phase 6?
The Phase 6 is Gary Anderson's signature darts range made by Unicorn. It's the sixth generation of his signature barrel and is one of the most popular player-signature darts on the market.
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🎯 Throw Like The Flying Scotsman
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