Andrew Wood, the co-creator of the beloved ITV game show “Bullseye,” has died at the age of 91, according to an announcement made by his daughter Laura Wood on the professional networking platform LinkedIn.
Wood, who developed the iconic darts-themed game show alongside comedian Norman Vaughan in 1980, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. His daughter, who now serves as producer of the show, shared the news in an emotional tribute to her father’s remarkable life and legacy.
In her statement, Laura Wood described the profound loss while celebrating her father’s extraordinary accomplishments. “On Sunday morning, my Mum and I said a goodbye that we always knew was coming, but so desperately never wanted to,” she wrote. She went on to share that while most people knew him as the legend who created “Bullseye,” to her he was simply Dad.
Laura expressed how proud she was to be his daughter, noting that this pride now exists alongside her grief. She detailed her father’s remarkable career, which included working with Don Arden, known as the Godfather of Rock, cutting hair for Formula One drivers, and owning the first record store in Kingston-upon-Thames before creating the game show that would become his lasting legacy.
The show became an instant hit after its creation, airing on ITV from 1981 to 1996 during its original run. Jim Bowen hosted the program alongside referee Tony Green during the show’s initial 15-year run, with Bowen becoming known for popular catchphrases that endeared him to viewers across Britain. A total of 354 episodes were produced across 16 series during the show’s history.
Laura reflected on her father’s unwavering determination and vision throughout his career. “The man I knew, although a little calmer in lifestyle, was never anything but driven, passionate and relentless in his vision. He knew with “Bullseye” that he had a hit on his hands, and my goodness, he was right,” she stated.
The darts-themed game show created an entertainment concept that resonated with British audiences for decades, combining elements of darts competition with quiz elements that made it a television favorite throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Wood’s influence on the television industry extended beyond the show’s initial run. He was invited back to ITV in 2005 to revive “Bullseye” as part of the Game Show Marathon series hosted by Ant and Dec. The program continued to find new audiences over the years, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Wood’s creation.
In her tribute, Laura shared important life lessons her father taught her about self-belief and determination. “He taught me that you have to believe in yourself, your goals, and your dreams, because if you don’t, no one else will,” she wrote. She expressed hope that she could continue to make him proud by carrying his creation forward.
The show experienced a resurgence in popularity recently, with ITV bringing it back for a Christmas special last year. Former cricket star Freddie Flintoff took on hosting duties for the revival, which capitalized on renewed enthusiasm for darts following teenage sensation Luke Littler’s rapid rise in the sport.
Wood had applied to trademark the “Bullseye” name, demonstrating his continued involvement with the brand he created. The show’s cultural impact on British television remains significant, having introduced multiple generations to darts-themed entertainment.
Since Laura’s announcement, tributes have been pouring in celebrating Andrew Wood as a wonderful person and a great man who made an indelible mark on the television industry. Original host Jim Bowen, who became synonymous with the program, died in 2018 at age 80. Tony Green served as referee throughout the original series.
Laura concluded her tribute with a poignant farewell to her father, expressing her belief that he leaves behind the most wonderful legacy with “Bullseye “and her hope to continue making him proud by carrying his creation forward.