Peter Wright is a two-time world champion, but Snakebite has been tipped to ditch the darts in favour of a career in reality television. The Scottish-born arrowsmith endured a dismal start to the 2026 season, losing in straight sets to debutant Arno Merk in the second round of the recent World Championship.
It was the latest in a long line of disappointing performances on the big TV stage for Wright, who made it past the second round just once in the previous eight ranked televised events. Wright drew criticism from not only darts fans, but also fellow professionals, with Michael van Gerwen calling for the 55-year-old to retire.
It’s a sentiment that’s backed up by fellow ex-professional Matt Edgar, who said on the Mission Darts Podcast: “Peter Wright is in a very privileged position. He’s a very recognisable face and he’s been offered in the past to do some very big shows, mainstream sort of shows.
“You know, your reality shows — your Big Brothers, those sorts of things. If I was Peter Wright, I would say this is my last year playing professional darts. Being the last year will reduce the judgment. Because right now, people are watching him, judging him and going, ‘No, no, no.’”
It’s true that Wright is a born entertainer. The dartist has gone viral in the past for his extravagant walk-ons and outlandish hairstyles, with Edgar believing that personality could translate across to reality TV. What’s more, Edgar insists that by announcing his intention to retire in 12 months’ time, it would serve to protect Wright’s legacy.
He added: “If you say, ‘Look, this is going to be my last year,’ people stop judging and start enjoying Peter Wright. He can drop the Snakebite character that he’s talked about wanting to drop before, and he can just be Peter Wright — and people can enjoy him.
“When he gets on a European Tour and things, people go, ‘This is amazing,’ and they see Peter Wright. Rather than seeing Peter Wright and thinking, ‘I’m just seeing a shadow of Peter Wright.’ On top of that, he’s then got lots of options outside the sport moving forward. It gives him the opportunity to bow out with a lot of grace, because Peter Wright has been very influential on the sport. I think what we’re getting right now is not the Peter Wright.”