Cute baby seal is pup for a laugh

BOBBY GEORGE

There was no missing “the King of Bling” when he walked onto the oche, sporting layers of jewellery, wearing a crown and cloak and holding a candelabra, all soundtracked by Queen’s We Are The Champions.

But he backed up his flamboyant appearance with success, winning several major tournaments in the 70s and 80s and reaching the final of the BDO World Championship twice.

He built his own Essex mansion called George Hall, which boasts 18 bedrooms and was designed to look like a dartboard.

Bobby, 73, also has a successful TV career.

ANDY FORDHAM

The 57-year-old used to down 25 bottles of beer before playing a game, as well as spirits and wine.

In 2004, a doctor told “The Viking” that his liver was ★

DARTS star Peter Evison has hit out at today’s “robot” players claiming their healthy ways are sucking the life out of the popular sport.

The former World Masters champion said today’s stars are more concerned about their big-money sponsors than the game.

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Here NADINE LINGE pays tribute to some of the biggest characters in the sport over the years who definitely couldn’t be described as robots... 75% dead and urged him to stop drinking alcohol immediately.

At his heaviest Fordham, bottom right, weighed 31st, but he has since lost weight.

TED HANKEY

“The Count” was the pantomine villain of darts, walking on in a Dracula cloak and chucking toy bats at the audience.

Hankey, 51, also once punched a dartboard in a fit of “oche rage” and blamed air conditioning for affecting the flight of his darts.

In 2012 he was forced to deny being drunk on the oche after looking unsteady on his feet – it later emerged he had suffered a stroke.

JOCKY WILSON

He was regarded as a pintswilling folk hero to his fans, knocking back lager and vodka as he played.

Wilson, top right, said he needed seven or eight vodkas before a match “to keep my nerves in a proper state” and once fell off stage.

Once his picture ended up on Top Of The Pops behind Dexys Midnight Runners as they sang Jackie Wilson Said.

He died aged 62 in 2012.

ERIC BRISTOW

Dubbed “the Crafty Cockney”, his skill and flamboyant personality helped turn darts from a pub sport into part of the national landscape.

Seen as arrogant, he was hated and loved in equal measure and won five world championships.

At the peak of his powers Bristow, top left, was struck down with dart-itis, a psychological condition that left him feeling that his darts were stuck in his hand.

He appeared in I’m Celebrity in 2012.

Bristow died aged 60 last year after a heart attack.

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A BABY seal brightens up a grey day by appearing to roll over on its back laughing.

The snap of the cute pup was taken at Donna Nook, North Lincs, by amateur photographer Dave Higgins. ★

Dave, 50, said: “The seal appears to be happy even though its winter and the days are short and grim. Watching new life feels like spring.”