Andy Boulton

Andy Boulton (born 25 February 1973 in Stoke-on-Trent) is an English darts player currently playing for the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed X-Factor due to appearance on The X Factor in 2012, where he reached boot camp karaoke.

Boulton made his televised debut in the PDC UK Open in 2005, where starting at the preliminary round, he reached the third round, with waiter Sergio Bongiovanni amongst his victims. He was drawn against rising star Colin Osborne and lost 5-1.

Boulton played in the 2006 Winmau World Masters, beating three previous opponents before defeating Tony O'Shea in the last 32 stage. He evantually lost to Martin Adams in the last 16. He then played at the 2008 BDO World Darts Championship, causing a big upset in the first round, beating Martin Atkins before losing to Ted Hankey in the second round.

In March 2008, Boulton won the unranked North Lanarkshire Open, beating Robert Thornton in the final.

Boulton qualified for the 2009 UK Open as a pub qualifier. He beat Darren Latham 6-5 in the first round, before losing 4-6 to Wes Newton in the second round. Later that year, he claimed the Granite City Open title in Aberdeen, beating former world champion John Walton in the final.

Boulton was a stand-by qualifier for the 2011 BDO World Championship, and progressed to the first round after Martin Adams - who was already assured of a place at the Lakeside - won the Winmau World Masters. Boulton was defeated in the first round 3-0 by Robbie Green.

In 2011, Boulton won the Scotland National Championship, and again qualified for the UK Open.

Andy crossed over to the PDC in 2015 through the Q School Order of Merit with 20 points. Andy also qualified for the German Masters.

The X Factor is currently sponsored by Showtime Darts, who helped to design and manufacture his new signature darts.

Boulton supports Stoke City F.C. He has three children - Lloyd, Ebony, and Bailey.

BDO

• 2008: 2nd Round (lost to Ted Hankey 1-4)
• 2011: 1st Round (lost to Robbie Green 0-3)
• 2012: 1st Round (lost to Scott Waites 1-3)

PDC

• 2016: 1st Round (lost to Gary Anderson 0-3)