Wilson competed in all major darts tournaments of the era and won the British Professional Championship a record four times between 1981 and 1988.

A contemporary and rival of Eric Bristow, Bob Anderson and John Lowe, Wilson's ungainly appearance and rough-hewn lifestyle belied his prowess in the sport.

In 1979, during a period of unemployment, he entered a darts competition at Butlins, Ayrshire, which he went on to win, claiming the top prize of £500,[2](worth around £2,300 in 2024).

[2] In 1981, Wilson beat world number one Eric Bristow and Cliff Lazarenko of England in the BDO Nations Cup final.

He added that in response the only two opponents who would look him in the eye at the handshake at the start of a game were Wilson and Lowe, saying that like himself they had "no fear".

[2] For ten years during his darts career, Wilson had a house in Wallsend to cut down on travel expenses, but he left that to return to his native Kirkcaldy.

[4] He was declared bankrupt in 1998,[2] and then survived on disability allowance, living as a recluse in a one-bedroom flat back on the council estate where he grew up.

[6] Despite his withdrawal from darts, in August 2009, the PDC announced a new tournament called "The Jocky Wilson Cup" in which Scotland's best players played England's best.

[3] A heavy smoker for 40 years, in November 2009 it was announced that Wilson had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[7] His funeral was held on 2 April at Kirkcaldy Crematorium;[8] In 1982, during the Falklands War, Wilson was temporarily banned from competing in darts tournaments after he was involved in "an unseemly brawl" with an official during a championship.

[9] Wilson frequently consumed sweets and generally refused to brush his teeth, stating: "My Gran told me the English poison the water".