Bobby George’s darts-shaped mansion with 18 beds and 3 fishing lakes | Other | Sport

Darts icon Bobby George still resides in the extraordinary 18-bedroom mansion he built himself over 30 years ago. Known as one of the sport’s most flamboyant figures during the late 1970s, 80s and 90s, George earned his ‘King of Bling’ nickname through his love of ostentatious jewellery.

Whilst he reached the BDO World Championship final twice, in 1980 and 1994, victory eluded him on both occasions. Nevertheless, he secured the prestigious News of the World title in 1979 and again in 1986. His success on the exhibition darts circuit brought considerable wealth, allowing him to build his sprawling home. He named the property George Hall, located in Ardleigh near Colchester.

True to George’s larger-than-life personality, the house is remarkable. From an aerial view, it’s unmistakable – the building is shaped like a dart flight.

The 18 bedrooms actually represent a compromise from George’s original vision. He reduced his plans after planning authorities told him a 28-bedroom mansion would be “over the top.”

The grand estate includes a pub-style entertainment space equipped with a bar and snooker table. The 12-acre grounds contain three fishing lakes, offering the keen fisherman ample choice.

Speaking previously to the BBC, he admitted he “overdid it” during the planning stages. George, now 80, said: “But I was younger [50], and I didn’t have any fear.

“I built a bathroom first so we could use a bathroom, then a bedroom and a kitchen. I finished them and then I finished room after room after room.”

The property features an impressive collection of darts memorabilia, including one of his own toes. Several of his toes were amputated in 1999 due to a genetic condition.

Whilst three of the toes were disposed of medically, he was permitted to keep one, which now resides in a vodka bottle in his bar.

In his autobiography, ‘Still Here! The King of Bling’, he wrote: “Nobody believes me, or at least they don’t, until they see me without my socks on. Or if they come to my bar in George Hall and see the evidence for themselves.

“There’s some sort of gene in my body that has caused the toes to pop out of their socket and cross over. It got so bad that I couldn’t get my shoes on.

“I couldn’t walk without checking my balance each step. It was so painful on some days that if I’d had a sharp enough knife I would have chopped them off myself.

“There was nothing that the medical profession could do, so it became ‘Operation Toot-Toot-Tootsie’.”