At 67, Russ Bray stands out as one of the most esteemed darts referees globally. Known as The Voice due to his distinctive and powerful calling style, Bray gained recognition when he was inducted into the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Hall of Fame in 2024, marking his remarkable 28-year journey as a professional referee. Bray’s background includes being a former traffic officer, playing county darts for Hertfordshire, and competing internationally, including victories in Finland and Norway alongside darts legend Eric Bristow. His referee career commenced unexpectedly when he had to step in for a no-show official. Today, he continues to travel extensively, officiating tournaments on the Asian Tour and World Series, while also providing voiceovers and personalized video messages. He resides in Soham, Cambridgeshire, with his wife, Sue.

Bray keeps cash for occasions that require it, noting that some local businesses prefer cash transactions. He shared a memorable anecdote from Italy when he attempted to exchange a significant sum in lira, only to discover that the currency was no longer in circulation.

Credit Card Usage

Bray utilizes a Mastercard and an American Express card, primarily for booking flights, benefiting from rewards with British Airways due to his frequent travels across Asia, including countries like Dubai, Japan, and Malaysia. His travel itinerary often includes multiple countries on weekends, showcasing his love for both work and travel.

Early Career

He began his professional life in 1973 as a cadet with the Metropolitan Police, progressing to a full role by 1975, and focusing on traffic management during his tenure. This role exposed him to various serious incidents.

Spending Habits

Bray identifies as a spender, especially fond of gadgets, having recently splurged on an expensive watch. He frequently purchases tech devices, showcasing his inclination to embrace modern technology.

Financial Background

While he considers himself better off than his parents, Bray recalls a challenging financial period after his divorce during which he had to re-evaluate his finances alongside his then-partner.

Defining Wealth

Bray reflects on wealth as the capacity to enjoy experiences without worrying about costs, mentioning a past golfing trip to Spain where he didn’t have to think about expenses.

Financial Struggles

He openly discusses times of financial difficulty during the 1980s and 1990s while he played county darts, indicating a point where he had to get creative to make ends meet.

Best Earnings

Voiceovers emerged as his most lucrative work, highlighting a successful project for McCoy’s crisps that yielded significant earnings.

Property Ownership

Bray has not owned property since his divorce, having rented throughout his adult life due to challenges in securing a mortgage.

Investment Decisions

Uninvolved in share investments, Bray made a strategic decision to develop a darts app, which has become incredibly successful, particularly following the rising popularity attributed to player Luke Littler.

Additionally, he engages in creating personalized video messages for fans, which adds to his income stream.

Financial Lessons Learned

Bray emphasizes avoiding impulse purchases and shares a lesson learned over the years about the importance of savings, particularly in preparation for unforeseen circumstances.

Future Aspirations

Bray expresses dreams of acquiring a property in Spain if he were to win the lottery, adding to his list of aspirations.

Annual Earnings

He prefers to keep his earnings private but acknowledges the success he’s achieved.

Pension Plans

Bray is entitled to a police pension and a state pension, alongside a current pension plan related to his work with the PDC. He recalls taking a lump sum from his police pension and acknowledges the financial security it provided.

Bray conveys his passion for his career, feeling fortunate to engage in something he loves and reflecting on his father’s contrasting sentiments about retirement after a long career.

Extravagant Purchases

Bray admits to a weakness for vehicles, having navigated ups and downs with high-end car purchases.

Career Decisions

While he reflects on leaving the police force as a potential misstep, Bray appreciates the growth and success he has found in his subsequent career in darts.