Split in darts 2004. Former BDO stalwarts John Part and van Barneveld have won the PDC World Championship having previously won the BDO version. In addition, reigning BDO World Champion Mark Webster defeated PDC World Champion John Part 10–2 in legs in the second round of the 2008 Grand Slam of Darts. BDO player Scott Waites won the 2010 Grand Slam of Darts. Waites is the only BDO player to reach the final of the event. On 21 October 2009, Barry Hearn made a bid of £1 million to purchase the BDO. It was the first time that a formal offer had been
Simon Whitlock over a year at the 12th Players Championship by beating James Wade 6–3 in the final. He won through to the final of the European Darts Open, but lost 6–2 against Wright. At the World Matchplay, Whitlock recorded wins over Kevin Painter, Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade (after being 5–0 down in the latter two) to reach the semi-finals of the event for the second time, with Whitlock stating he was playing his best darts in five years. He was defeated 17–13 by Michael van Gerwen and also lost to the Dutchman in the final of the Singapore Darts