Gary Anderson has branded the rise of influencers in darts as ‘a load of b*****s’.
The two-time world champion used his post-match press conference after the first-round of the Winmau World Masters to unleash on the social media stars.
‘I don’t [watch] YouTube, but I’m watching, what do you call them, influencers? “How to play darts” – I’ve never seen the bloke in my life,’ the Flying Scotsman began.
‘I’ve watch him play darts and he’s absolutely rank at it, so why watch him? If kids need to learn they can go buy a set of darts that costs £10, £20, £30, £40 or £50, instead of spending hundreds of pounds on darts, and they can learn the game.
‘Influencers? What a load of b*****s. How many times do you watch boys on YouTube who want to play like a pro. Who is he? They actually know about darts, do they? It’s a load of rubbish.’
Anderson did not directly name any particular influencer, but his comments come just weeks after I’m A Celebrity winner Angry Ginge said he was considering entering next year’s PDC Qualifying School.
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson branded the rise of influencers in darts as ‘b*****s’
Angry Ginge said he was considering entering 2027’s PDC Qualifying School earlier this month
Participation gives players aged 16 or over the chance to win a two-year PDC Tour Card to compete in the biggest competitions in the sport, and the YouTube star admitted he might give it a go.
‘I might go to Q-School next year, though. Not to win, because I know I won’t win. Just to see what it’s like,’ he said earlier this month.
‘The more pressure you’re under, the more you get used to it. In darts, your hands are shaking and everything. Darts is mainly about who’s got the biggest bottle.’
The 24-year-old, whose real name is Morgan Burtwhistle, has competed against other influencers in the past on the Ally Pally stage.
He is also a close member of Luke Littler’s inner circle, and even won a couple of legs against the world No 1 during one of his recent live streams.
Ex-PDC star Matthew Edgar has backed Burtwhistle to make a career in darts as he reckons it would only benefit the sport.
‘I think it would be good for the game,’ he said. ‘If he was to show some progression from where he is now, it will show people that it’s a potential avenue and it’s an actual journey. So I’m all for it, to be honest.’
