Mervyn King’s building work & star who carried on as Iceland driver after big win… the very normal jobs of darts stars
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BEING an elite sportsman often means you don't have to work an ordinary job. But some darts stars have opted to hold on to their day jobs while attempting to hit the bullseye. Current World Champion Luke Humphries - who has earned himself £1.8million in prize money over the last two years - worked as a roofer while attempting to make his way on the sport.
![[Michael Smith also runs his own farm when he's not touring with darts]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/michael-smith-england-reacts-kevin-958771403.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
The World No1, who was knocked out of this year's PDC tournament last week, worked alongside his father, Mark, and brother, Stuart before hanging up his tools after making it big. But not everyone gives up the day job when they hit the jackpot. As Michael van Gerwen and Brit teen Luke Littler vie for the Wolrd Championship tonight, we look at the darts players who chose to slave away at ordinary jobs, despite sporting fame.
![[Michael has two livery horses living on his farm at his home]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000786283831.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
Michael earned the nickname Bully Boy after he helped birth cows as a teenager - and has used his darts winnings to buy his own farm. He regularly treats followers to a glimpse of life on the farm, which houses geese, chickens, swans, ducks, turkeys and dogs.
![[Robert Owen is an Iceland delivery driver when not on the oche]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/robert-owen-darts-player-day-961099120.jpg?strip=all&w=327)
Michael, 34, also has two tortoises that he shares with wife Dagmara. Being number two in the world hasn't stopped him making plans for more animals and becoming a real-life Dr Dolittle. After winning the World Darts Championship in 2023, he revealed he was planning to use the winnings to buy a bull - after his famous moniker.
![[His work make his driving schedule fit around the darts tournaments]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/robert-owen-celebrates-fourth-round-960619698.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
