‘I won £60K at World Darts Championship – now I’m back working as a bricklayer’
Charlie Manby has proved that fame and fortune haven’t gone to his head since his breakthrough run at the World Championship
A darts star went straight back to work as a bricklayer despite banking tens of thousands at the World Championship. Charlie Manby was one of the stories of the 2025/26 tournament, reaching the fourth round, where he was beaten by eventual runner-up Gian van Veen.
The 20-year-old made his Alexandra Palace debut at the most lucrative tournament of all time. While the headline figure was the £1million won by Luke Littler, prize money for every round was also increased.
For making the last 16, Manby walked away with a cool £60,000, by the far the biggest payday of his fledgling career. However, there is no chance of him living up to his ‘Champagne’ nickname with his new wealth. Instead, bricklayer Manby has been back on the building site.
The Huddersfield thrower told ITV: “For the past three years, I have been doing this job. It has been my main income and I actually enjoy it.
“It’s a good laugh on the site and you are getting a good week’s wage at the end of it as well. You’ve always got something to fall back on if the darts doesn’t go your way.”
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On what he might spend his winning on, Manby added: “I need a new car, so probably look at one of them and maybe a watch.”
Manby’s boss on site, Sam Booth, hailed the thrower’s down-to-earth nature. He said: “He’s just a character. He’s that guy who brings a smile to everybody’s face. When things might be getting a bit tough, he will be there making everybody laugh. That is what he is like. Just a good all-round guy.”
Asked if he was as good at laying bricks as playing darts, Booth joked: “That’s a good question. I’d say darts, he’s still got a bit of work to do.”
Manby had the best view of one of the most extraordinary incidents at the World Championship. After beating Cameron Menzies in the first round, the fuming Scot put out a pyro with his hand and then delivered three uppercuts to his table.
Manby went on to beat American Adam Sevada and crowd favourite Ricky Evans before Van Veen, the new Dutch number one, proved too strong.
Manby, said: “It was a bit surreal to start with, then game by game I felt a lot more comfortable. I was very nervous at the start but I got used to it.
“It was a great feeling and the crowd were always on my side, which is always a good thing.”
Manby has returned to the oche to take part in Q-School as he looks to earn a place on the PDC Tour alongside the likes of Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen.
