Steve Beaton

Darts player infobox
playername = Steve Beaton


fullname =
nickname = Magnum-PI
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1964|4|5|mf=y
cityofbirth = Coventry
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
hometown = Southam
homecountry = Warwickshire
since = 1987
darts = B&W 22g
music = Stayin Alive (1977) by The Bee Gees
BDO = 1992 to 2001
PDC = 2002 to present
currentrank = 32 (June 2008)
BDO World = Winner 1996
World Masters = Winner 1993
World Darts Trophy =
Int. Darts League =
PDC World = Last 16, 2002, 2004
Matchplay = SF 2001
Grand Prix = SF 2004
UK Open = SF 2004
Vegas = QF 2003
Premier League =
tournament = Belgian Open
Danish Open
Dutch Open
resultyears = 1993
1993
1995, 1996
achievement =
updated = December 23, 2007

Steve Beaton (born 5 April, 1964 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England) is a for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).

He won one version of the World Professional Darts Championship in 1996.

tage persona

Beaton prefers to use the nickname Magnum-PI for his matches, in clear reference of his likeness to Tom Selleck. He has also been referred to as The Bronzed Adonis due to his tanned appearance, and also Housewife's Choice for similar reasons. His entrance music is Stayin Alive by The Bee Gees.

BDO career

Beaton made his World Championship debut in 1992, two years before the game separated into two rival organisations. He lost in the first round to Chris Johns, but he was encouraged by his performance in 1993 when he beat former champions, Dennis Priestley and Bob Anderson before a semi-final defeat to Alan Warriner. He turned professional later in 1993 - and went on to win the prestigious Winmau World Masters, beating Les Wallace in the final.

When the majority of the world's top 16 ranked players formed their own organisation and world championship (the WDC, now the PDC) it left Beaton as the top seeded player for 1994 and 1995 Championships, but he lost in the first round both times, leaving some to wonder if Beaton had begun to rest on his laurels.

In 1996, he regained his form momentarily to beat Co Stompe, John Part, Martin Adams, Andy Fordham and then Richie Burnett in the final to clinch the BDO World Championship. Beaton won many Open titles during his career in BDO tournaments including the Dutch, Danish, Belgian and Swedish Opens.

He continued to play in the BDO version of the World Championship until 2001 (reaching the semi-final in 1997 and quarter-final in 1998) before switching to the Professional Darts Corporation in 2002.

PDC career

Beaton has never made the same impact in the PDC, having failed to reach the quarter-finals in any of his attempts at the world crown. His poor form saw him slip down the world rankings, but he did manage to qualify for the 2008 World Championships, losing a tight second-round match with James Wade 4-3 in sets.

Personal life

Beaton currently resides in Southam, Warwickshire, where he lives with his wife Nanette, whom he married in 1993. He is a fully qualified driving instructor and works on this part time job when he is not competing on the darts circuit. Southam is entirely coincidentally home to the former Women's Darts World Champion Trina Gulliver.

World Championship record

:1992 Last 32 lost to Chris Johns 1-3:1993 Semi Finals lost to Alan Warriner 2-5:1994 (BDO) Last 32 lost to Nick Gedney 2-3:1995 (BDO) Last 32 lost to Dave Askew 2-3:1996 (BDO) CHAMPION beat Richie Burnett 6-3:1997 (BDO) Semi Finals lost to Marshall James 4-5:1998 (BDO) Quarter Finals lost to Raymond van Barneveld 0-5:1999 (BDO) Last 16 lost to Steve Duke 0-3:2000 (BDO) Last 16 lost to Andy Fordham 0-3:2001 (BDO) Last 16 lost to Raymond Van Barneveld 2-3:2002 (PDC) Last 16 lost to John Part 0-6:2003 (PDC) Last 32 lost to Dave Askew 3-4:2004 (PDC) Last 16 lost to Mark Dudbridge 1-4:2005 (PDC) Last 32 lost to Andy Hamilton 2-4:2006 (PDC) Last 64 lost to Jan van der Rassel 0-3:2007 (PDC) Last 32 lost to Terry Jenkins 3-4:2008 (PDC) Last 32 lost to James Wade 3-4

External links

* [http://www.stevebeaton.co.uk Steve Beaton official website]
* [http://www.teessidesoftware.no-ip.com/DartsDatabase/PlayerDetails.aspx?PlayerKey=33&organPd=All&tourns=WC&plStat=2#PlayerResults Beaton's darts database]