The oche may be the epicentre of the action in darts – but the real entertainment unfolds en route to the stage.
And the 2024 Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship has a high bar to beat if players are to stick out from the crowd. After all, the PDC showcase has hosted a catalogue of crazed introductions in years gone by, ranging from hoofed companions to using vegetables as methods of intimidation.
The stage is set for darts' biggest stars to go all out in an effort to set new standards with their entrances at Alexandra Palace this year. And Daily Star Sport breaks down some of the best in class to date they'll be looking to beat.
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Is that an aubergine, or was Dirk van Duijvenbode just happy to see Bradley Brooks ahead of their first-round clash at the 2021 World Championship? Both, by the looks of things.
The affable Dutchman works on an aubergine farm in his native Netherlands when he's not competing for European titles. People are usually discouraged from bringing their personal life to work, but Dirk has since gone in the other direction by bring his work to… his other work.
Canadian John Part took his entrance to a galaxy far, far away when he made a Star Wars-themed walk-on ahead of the 2008 PDC World Darts Championship final. Darth Maple was flanked by Princess Leia, Stormtroopers and even Chewbacca to the unmistakeable tuned of 'The Imperial March'.
And it worked for Part, who claimed his third World Championship – his second in the PDC – when he hammered Kirk Shepherd 7-2. Typically ruthless behaviour for a member of the Sith.
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If there were points awarded for being on theme, Ricky Evans smashed it out of the park at last year's World Championship ahead of his matchup with Fallon Sherrock. 'Rapic' took no time to get the crowd on side as he waltzed his way to the stage in hilarious fashion to the beat of Shakin Stevens' 'Merry Christmas, Everyone" before sealing a 3-1 win.
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There wasn't a long face in sight when Bob Anderson made the bizarre decision to have a filly accompany him to the stage at the Circus Tavern in 1995. Except for the horse in question, however, which must have wondered what it had done to deserve such treatment.
It was the first round of the knockouts of the 1995 World Championships, and Anderson was facing eventual champion Phil Taylor. “That damn horse gets more publicity than I do," he later recalled. "None of it was my idea. I think horses are fabulous creatures, but there isn’t one alive that likes me."
The Problem Child is back for this third fight of 2023. Jake Paul returns to the ring, live in Orlando on December 16. The YouTuber turned boxer will engage in a professional contest against Texas cruiserweight Andre August and you can watch it live on DAZN.
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Another big winner in terms of ticking boxes at Christmas time, Peter Wright went to great lengths to display his festive spirit. And 'Snakebite' did just that with his Grinch get-up during the 2021 edition of the World Darts Championship.
The all-green look came complete with matching hair and scarf to match the famous Dr. Seuss character. One for the adults and young viewers alike.
Certainly not Christmas-themed, but the execution deserved marks all of its own after Dimitri van den Bergh danced his way to the oche in December 2017. Either that, or 'The Dreammaker' was overcome by a malevolent spirit moving to the beat of Pharrell's 'Happy'.
Van den Bergh has made it a habit of his to strut his stuff on the way to the stage throughout his career. But perhaps none of his performances had quite the same vigour as that demonstrated during his introduction at the 2018 World Championship.
It made about as much sense as a chocolate umbrella – which is exactly why Steve Hine dispensing baked goods ahead of a World Championship match is right up there. 'The Muffin Man' can't have taken long to think up the idea given his career working in a bakery, but it's the simple plans that often work best.
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