Luke Littler is no stranger to the big stage. Final after final, win after win, trophy after trophy. We know that by now.
He thrives in an environment that sees thousands of fans aim chants at him – good and bad – and millions more watch around the world. Pressure is for tyres, a wise man once said.
Sadly, that is not always the case. 14, I needed, to win the competition I took part in at Alexandra Palace. I’m not talking about double seven – just a big 14. I scored zero.
When I was asked by Sky to throw some darts on stage, there was no question over whether I would take up the offer. They asked for a walk on song, a shirt colour, and a nickname. ‘The Gill,’ I went with, due to my love of Gillingham Football Club. On reflection, ‘The Bottler’ would have been a better option.
The event was only five minutes or so, but there were fans in attendance and, even though they certainly had no idea who I was, the pressure was there. I’m not awful at darts – but I was this day.
I honestly do think it was because of the pressure I faced. Whether that was self-inflicted or not is a discussion for another day, but it did highlight to me that the world’s best players are facing more than just each other on that stage.
The pressure on the Alexandra Palace stage is telling – pictured: Daily Mail Sport’s Lewis Browning (centre)
Luke Littler is no stranger to the big time and we learnt exactly what he is up against
That’s important to remember for the likes of Littler. He is 18 years old and playing on big stage after big stage. He reached the final at the age of 16. We are dealing with one of a kind here.
Three of us took part in the challenge. We were given nine darts – as one fan will be at the final in a bid to win £180,000 – and a bit of practice time before.
Sky kindly gave us a gift of some 24g Target darts, as well as a personalised shirt, and we were in the zone backstage as we prepared.
Taking to the arena, we were first told by security that we were only able to stand in certain areas. I’m not sure Littler and Gian van Veen will face the same rulings tonight.
A member of the Sky production team then introduced us to MC Lewis Jones and we were informed how we would enter the stage. For credit, I was told I chose the best walk-on song with Rascal Flatts’ Life is a Highway.
I was third on, and another competitor had asked some fans to stand by the walk-on to cheer us on. That boosted confidence – but it was a bit of a blur.
The end of the walk-on is raised, before it dips as you get to the stairs. Unlike the stars – or I’m A Celebrity winner Angry Ginge the day before – I didn’t have any security following me. I wonder why.
A few handshakes though and we were underway. Scott Gibling was our referee, and, long story short, I blew my chance to claim victory on the Ally Pally stage by missing the board last dart. But that’s not important.
Thousands of fans will create an electric atmosphere for the final on Saturday evening
While I was playing, I thought of the likes of Littler. I thought of Cameron Menzies, who had taken out his anger on an on-stage table earlier on in the tournament. I thought of Ricky Evans, who too struggled mentally at the back-end of his defeat by Charlie Manby. The pressure is no joke.
Darts involves fine motor skills and the smallest jolt or error can result in poor performance. There’s so much that can impact it – and that makes darts what it is.
What I experienced was only a fraction of what Littler and Van Veen will experience tonight. There were few fans, little to no chanting and no famous wasp. But it was a taste of the big time – and it truly is not easy.
Sky Sports and NOW is the exclusive home of the World Darts Championship final between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen on Saturday evening, live from 7:30pm
