Gary Anderson, the world No. 6 darts player, didn’t hold back when expressing his frustration with the rising trend of darts ‘influencers’ on social media. After a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Netherlands' Niels Zonneveld at the Winmau World Masters, the 55-year-old Scotsman delivered a blunt message during his post-match interview, warning young players against following online personalities who claim to teach the game.
“I’m a darts player, I’m not here to sit and talk and tell stories,” Anderson started. “I don’t do YouTube, but I’m watching. We’ve got, what do you call them? Influencers? Teaching how to play darts. I’ve never seen the bloke in my life, I’ve watched him play darts, he’s absolutely awful at it. So why watch him?”
Anderson dismissed the advice spread by these influencers as misleading and overpriced. “Kids need to learn they can buy a decent set of darts for £10, £20, £40, £50. Instead of spending hundreds on darts just to follow some influencer’s stuff. Influencers? What a load of nonsense. Absolute idiots. It’s rubbish for young kids.”
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He stressed that the essence of darts should be enjoyment and accessibility. “Let them play darts and enjoy the game. Buy a £20 set of darts and just have fun. It’s that simple.”
Though Anderson didn’t name any individuals directly, his comments come amid speculation that YouTuber and ‘I’m a Celebrity’ winner Morgan ‘Angry Ginge’ Burtwistle is considering entering the PDC Qualifying School. This annual event allows players aged 16 and above to compete for a coveted PDC tour card.
Angry Ginge has a strong connection with the darts community, particularly supporting young talent like Luke Littler, who recently made waves at the PDC World Championship. Former pro Matthew Edgar even praised Burtwistle’s potential move, saying it could demonstrate a viable path for others aiming to break into professional darts.
Looking ahead, Anderson will face James Wade in the second round of the World Masters. After dropping the first set to Zonneveld 2-0, Anderson fought back with determination, capturing four of the next five legs. Despite a strong 121 finish from his opponent to force a decider, Anderson rallied to secure his victory and progress further in the tournament.