FEVER PITCHED
Beaton to hit top note
STEVE BEATON will bring a touch of ‘Friday Afternoon Fever’ to the William Hill World Championship today.
But ‘The Bronzed Adonis’ knows to reach the third round he must beat the man who sparks the biggest party in darts – Vincent van der Voort.
There is no greater noise than when the Dutchman enters the arena to his walk on music, Give It Up by KC and The Sunshine Band.
Beaton will go some way to matching that when Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees booms out at Ally Pally this afternoon ahead of their second-round duel.
Disco
“It’s not a case of me bringing my John Travolta white suit and Vincent bringing the glitterball,” said Beaton. “We’ll both be looking at it as a great opportunity to reach the last 16.
“Whatever happens against Vincent, the fans are going to have a great party because you can’t beat a catchy tune.
“This tournament lends itself to the spirit of Christmas, and I’ll he happy if the punters enjoy their singalong.
“But, as players, we have to remember we are here for the darts and not the disco.” Beaton won the BDO world title in 1996 when he beat Richie Burnett 6-3.
This is his 17th PDC World Championship and in June he won his first ranking title for four years at a Players Championship tournament.
Van der Voort, 42, is ready for the occasion, knowing how popular he is thanks to the music.
He said: “People sing it when they see me in the street, they wind down their windows and sing it as they drive past.
“I feel a bit embarrassed when passengers start singing it on the Monday morning flight from Amsterdam to London.
“Many of them have been on stag weekends and they dress up like morons, but I have to admit I’m happy when they back me at the world championship.”
Van der Voort was set to bow out of the sport because of back problems but he played on and is in fine form.
He said: “I was ready to pack it in because I was in so much pain, but my wife said I would regret it if I quit now.
“I have got two hernias now but it doesn’t affect me as much as my back did before.
“I’m going to give it my best shot because everyone in Holland is watching.”