Paddy Power and Chris Hoy join forces to tackle prostate cancer with ‘The BIGGER 180’

Imago

Sir Chris Hoy has teamed up with Paddy Power and Prostate Cancer UK to promote 'The BIGGER 180' campaign at this year's World Darts Championship.

Hoy, a national treasure and six-time Olympic champion, announced his terminal prostate diagnosis earlier this year. He's now on a mission to get as many men talking about prostate cancer as possible.

That includes everyone at Ally Pally, where Paddy Power have pledged £1,000 for every 180 to TRANSFORM, a groundbreaking prostate cancer screening trial. The bookies will also payout £180,000 for every nine-darter, split evenly with the player, one lucky fan and the charity.

Paddy Power are known for their outrageous PR stunts but Hoy believes this one is a cut above the rest.

“Paddy Power’s always been about grabbing attention and this time, it’s for something life-changing,” he said. "They’re using their platform not just to entertain but to save lives, and that’s something I’m proud to be part of.

“The nine-dart bonus is a stroke of genius. It celebrates the players’ talent while turning it into something much bigger—a chance to make a real difference.”

In research commissioned by Paddy Power, more than 12,000 men lose their lives to prostate cancer every year in the UK. While 19% of men refuse to talk about their physical health and 27% of men keep mental health issues to themselves.

And Hoy, whose father and grandfather both had prostate cancer too, knows better than anyone the risk of staying silent.

“This isn’t about medals or records,” the 48-year-old added. “It’s about saving lives. If sharing my story gets just one person to check their risk or book a screening, then it’s all been worth it.

“I didn’t have any symptoms until it was too late. By the time I felt pain, it wasn’t in my prostate anymore – it was secondary cancer in my bones. If I’d thought to check earlier, maybe I’d have caught it in time. That’s why this campaign is so important – so others don’t end up in the same situation.”

Donations to the TRANSFORM trial could revolutionise the prostate screening process and save thousands of lives every year.

Hoy said: “The TRANSFORM trial could completely change the game for prostate cancer screening, and Paddy Power’s support is helping make that possible.

“Every 180 scored during the tournament brings us £1,000 closer to a future where prostate cancer is caught early and treated effectively.”