Justin Hood’s run to the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship is the feel-good story of the 2026 tournament. The 32-year-old debutant continued his stunning run at Alexandra Palace by demolishing one of the pre-tournament favourites, Josh Rock, 4-0 in the fourth round. 

In one of the greatest performances in World Championship history, Hood hit 11 doubles in a row and almost made it 12, only to narrowly miss double 16 when throwing for the match. The diminutive Somerset thrower, who faces Gary Anderson in the last eight on New Year’s Day, hasn’t just won admirers for his arrows at Ally Pally. He has also delighted fans with his entertaining interviews and rags-to-riches back story…

How tall is Justin Hood?

Hood is 5ft 4in, making him one of the shortest players on the circuit. Hood has joked about his height, quipping he sometimes struggles to reach his darts, especially if they’re in the double 20 segment.

After beating Danny Noppert in the third round, he said: “I know how good I am and how good I can be, but it’s hard to reach the darts and I am too short. It’s a nightmare!”

Does Justin Hood have a job?

Hood had various jobs before becoming a professional darts player by winning a PDC Tour card via Q-School at the start of 2025. He worked in a warehouse for 10 years before moving into a hotel with his girlfriend, where they both worked as night porters.

“I’d do four days, she did three days. We stayed above it,” explained Hood, who then gambled the pair’s life savings to take a crack at Q-School. “I jacked that in, in the middle of November 2024, for Q School. I took the gamble, spent all our savings on a hotel down in Milton Keynes for eight weeks, and it paid off.

“It wasn’t the best experience in the cheapest hotel I could find, but I said, ‘We’ve got to take the gamble.’ I put all my time into it and it has paid off.”

What will Justin Hood do with his prize money?

Now assured of at least £100,000 for reaching the quarter-finals, Hood can think about realising his dream of owning a Chinese restaurant. On his love of Chinese food, he said: “I just love Chinese food. How long has it been a dream for? 15 years. We’re getting closer, though.”

Speaking before beating Rock, he told talkSPORT: “It’s coming, I said if I can reach the £60,000 round (fourth round), that’s enough. Luke Humphries said he would buy in with me, and I’m going to hold him to that.”

Then after the he confirmed: “I think we’re there, I don’t have a choice now.”

If he causes another shock by beating Anderson, Hood will have even more money to pour into his culinary venture, as he will be assured of £200,000. The tournament runner-up will receive £400,000, while the winner will pocket a record £1million.

What is Justin Hood’s nickname?

Hood also boasts one of the best nicknames on the darts circuit, Happy Feet, a reference to the blockbuster movie about a tap-dancing penguin. He landed it after turning up for a tournament wearing the wrong kind of footwear.

He explained: “At county, you’ve got to wear black trousers and black shoes. I went up there with trainers on, and wasn’t allowed to wear them. I’ve got size nine feet.

“I had to borrow my mate’s size 13s. Went on stage, toed the oche, and it looked like flippers. They just bent back. Ever since then, it was Happy Feet and it’s just stuck. After the film, the penguins.”