The PDC World Championships have become an iconic event in sporting circles, and now Barry Hearn has revealed how the tournament once got the royal seal of approval.
The event, held annually at Alexandra Palace over Christmas and New Year, has become renowned for its raucous atmosphere. Fancy dress, impromptu chants, and even booing for certain pantomime villains, have all become part of the process.
This year it was Peter Wright who was crowned champion, with not even the Covid-19 pandemic deterring the crowds. The organisation was formed in 1992 following a split from the BDO, with Hearn then appointed Chairman.
The Matchroom supremo has since helped build the sport immeasurably, with the formation of the Premier League adding a new dimension for players and fans. Even during lockdown, some tour events were held virtually with players competing from their own homes.
And in his new autobiography, Hearn, 73, has lauded the current appeal of the organisation, and world championships in particular. In an extract published in The Sun, he spoke about the celebrity guests the event attracts, and recalled the time that Prince Harry attended in 2014.
"Where else would a young plumber or banker rub shoulders with Stephen Fry, Alastair Cook or Zara Phillips? Prince Harry came along one year with three mates from the Army," he wrote.
"They proceeded to consume dozens of pints of lager and merged in with the crowd rather well. Harry was like any ordinary bloke on a night out with his mates.
"My son Eddie and I joined them on a table of six and it was clear they were on a bender. I reckon 60 pints of lager went down and I didn’t have much of it."
At one point, the crowd chanted to the Prince to give them a wave, with Hearn telling him that if he obliged "your street credibility will be cemented for a lifetime.” However, Harry replied by cannily suggesting he wasn't allowed to.
According to Hearn, he was anything but shy about continuing the party afterwards though, inviting the renowned sports promoter to another venue: "At the end, Harry said they were off to a nightclub and would we like to come? 'Not us,' I said. 'You guys are too dangerous.'"
As well as darts, Hearn has also been heavily involved in a number of other sports, including football, boxing, and snooker. Indeed, his book also included a comical tale about Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Hearn claims that when he managed 'The Rocket', who was still an amateur player and just 16 at the time, he persuaded bosses to allow him to turn professional my dropping his pants and baring his backside during a meeting.
