No fancy dress... but at least we’ll get fans
The two-times champion, who is self-isolating and will be a late starter when the action begins next week, talks to Neil Squires
Q HOW TRICKY HAS THIS YEAR BEEN FOR YOU WITH COVID?
A It’s been a horrible year for everyone. I’ve not seen my mum or brother this year as they’re in Scotland and I’m in Somerset and I didn’t want to put anyone at risk or break rules. I didn’t travel to some of the PDC events as I wasn’t comfortable flying. It was multiple legs and airports and ‘red zones’ and, while I know I follow rules and take it seriously, many don’t. The PDC have done well keeping events on. It’s not normal – if you can ever say darts is normal!
Q DARTS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST SPORTS BACK WITH THE INNOVATIVE AT HOME TOUR. DIDN’T THAT GET YOU A BROADBAND UPGRADE?
A I wasn’t scheduled to be in it as I’m very rural and we just didn’t have the broadband capacity in the area so I said no. Then everyone was asking why wasn’t I in and we said why. The media interest caught the attention of the local provider who we’d been trying to get since we moved in and they were able to quickly add the extra couple of hundred feet to get me and the neighbours connected. It wasn’t perfect where my darts room is but the PDC got me some boosters and I could take part. Amazing what a wee nudge done!
Q HOW DIFFERENT DO YOU THINK THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WILL FEEL AND LOOK THIS YEAR?
A The place is normally packed to the rafters and now they’re limited to 1,000 people per session, so it will be quieter. Fancy dress and singing is also banned. But I’m delighted that we’re back with fans – I hate the piped-in crowd noise. How it will look I’m excited to see.
Q YOUR OPENING MATCH HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO DECEMBER 23 BECAUSE YOU ARE SELF-ISOLATING, THE DAY AFTER YOU TURN 50. THAT WILL BE A QUIET BIRTHDAY WON’T IT?
A I will be spending my birthday alone and in isolation. I’ll probably have a lie-in then call Rachel and the kids. That’s the worst bit for me, the sitting about waiting to be told you can leave the room. I think I’ll order a Wagamama in for dinner that night, then early to bed.
Q YOU HIT OUT AT ON-STAGE ‘SNARKING’ AT THE GRAND SLAM OF DARTS. HOW BIG A PROBLEM IS SLEDGING AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE ABOUT IT?
A One of the big problems for me is what I call cheating. Others may say it’s gamesmanship but, to me, it’s cheating. I just get on stage and throw my darts. I don’t talk, or sing or whistle, or fart, or click my heels, or spray Deep Heat so it makes my opponents’ eyes water. I’d like to see everyone just play darts and not mess about and try to win by means other than their ability.
Q DO YOU THINK DARTS SHOULD BE IN THE OLYMPICS?
A Is it not meant to be included from 2028? I’d love to see it so I could be part of an Olympic team. But why not is really the question. You have got to hit a target 8ft away and you’re working to millimetres – it’s a precision sport. It is the same as archery, and I’d think that more people would watch Olympic darts. In normal times the Ally Pally crowd is as loud as any Olympic Stadium.