Background
Fitzmaurice was born near the Rainbow Suite in Kensington, which would coincidentally be a later venue for the Winmau World Masters.
Fitzmaurice was born near the Rainbow Suite in Kensington, which would coincidentally be a later venue for the Winmau World Masters.
Fitzmaurice introduced the players after delivering his catchphrase, "Are you ready? Ladies and Gentlemen. Let"son. Play.. Darts"
He spent all but six days of his first five years living in Wales during World World War World War II On returning to London he went to Clement Dane"s Grammar School where he stayed on to complete his A-levels. After school he had jobs in a solicitor"s office and later worked as an electrician and also a tube train driver.
The Fitzmaurices moved to Colchester in 1975 where he was asked to chalk a match (keep track of players" scores) in a local public which was the start of his long career in darts.
Shortly after refereeing a youth match in Essex, darts player Bobby George asked Fitzmaurice if he would referee for him in exhibition matches when his regular referee Freddie Williams was unavailable. The two ended up working together for around five years.
Then at the World Masters in 1985 regular caller Jack Price was taken ill, Bobby George"s persistence with the BDO International to use Fitzmaurice paid off and he stood in to fulfil the role. Fitzmaurice was a chalker at the 1986 Embassy World Final, the first time the tournament had been held at the Lakeside Country Club.
Fitzmaurice fulfilled the role as Master of Ceremonies at BDO International tournaments for many years - introducing the players onto the stage with his catchphrase, "Let"s play darts!"
He is also synonymous with the British Darts Organisation and has made several disparaging comments about the Professional Darts Corporation.
Asked in 2004 by the British Broadcasting Corporation web site whether he took any interest in the Personal Digital Cellular World Championship he said, "None at all. There"s a lot of politics that goes on, and a lot of black propaganda. All we want to do is make our system the best possible for a player."
On April 7, 2013, Fitzmaurice made numerous racist and homophobic jokes whilst acting as Military Cross at the BDO International British Internationals in Glenrothes, Scotland.
On April 9, 2013, the BDO International made the following announcement.
"The British Darts Organisation apologises unreservedly for the fact that racially offensive comments were made by Military Cross Martin Fitzmaurice at the BDO International British Internationals in Scotland on Sunday, April 7th and streamed over the internet. The BDO International wishes to make it clear that it does not tolerate racism in any shape or form, and a full enquiry is already taking place into this regrettable incident.
In accordance with BDO International rules on racism, Fitzmaurice was made fully aware of the seriousness of his actions and was required to face a disciplinary hearing in front of the BDO International Board. On 11 April, Fitzmaurice announced that he had offered his resignation which had been accepted.
He said of the incident, "I made a mistake.
I was having a bit of banter with the crowd." On 20 April, the BDO International announced Richard Ashdown as his successor.