In the electric world of professional darts, few players bring the raw energy and joy that Ricky Evans does. Nicknamed “Rapid Ricky” for his blistering throwing speed—often clocking legs in under three seconds—the 35-year-old from Kettering has long been a fan favorite. His flamboyant walk-ons, colorful shirts, and unrelenting positivity light up the oche, turning every match into a spectacle. But behind the cheers and 180s, 2025 has tested him like never before.
March brought unimaginable pain when Ricky’s younger sister, Elisha, passed away suddenly. The devastating news reached him during the UK Open, shattering his world mid-tournament. In a raw Instagram post, he poured out his grief: “My beautiful little sister Elisha… I love you so much. I’ll always be your best friend.” The darts community rallied around him, sending condolences as tributes flooded in for the woman who had been his closest confidante.
Grief doesn’t pause for the tour schedule. Ricky soldiered on, but the weight was crushing. Online trolls piled on with vile messages, even referencing Elisha in cruel taunts after losses. He called them out publicly, refusing to let the darkness win. In one emotional night, after defeating a legend like Raymond van Barneveld, Ricky broke down in tears onstage, dedicating the victory to Elisha. “This one’s for you,” he whispered through sobs, the arena hushed in respect.
“Not at all, no,” he later admitted when asked if he ever thought happiness could return before year’s end. “I just thought, ‘how am I going to deal with this?’ Everyone passes. Everyone loses loved ones but she was my best friend.”
Yet life, in its quiet mercy, offered a lifeline. A new relationship blossomed, bringing warmth back into Ricky’s days. During a recent interview, his face lit up with a grin that hadn’t been seen in months. “I’m gonna get stick for this,” he laughed, before spilling the beans: “I’ve got a bird, haven’t I? I’m all loved up.”
He doesn’t mince words about the transformation. “It can’t be a coincidence. I’m playing well, I’m happy in life. I deserve a little bit of luck now and then. A little bit of happiness and yeah, she’s brought it to me. We’ve had a rough year but it’s ending with a good end.”
The change is palpable on the board. Rapid Ricky is firing again, stringing together strong performances that have secured his spot at the PDC World Darts Championship—his 11th appearance at the legendary Alexandra Palace. This time, though, the trip means more than averages and checkouts.
He’s fulfilling a heartfelt promise: taking his mum to Ally Pally for the very first time. “I’m taking my mum to Ally Pally this year,” he said, voice cracking. “She’s never been. I’m more welled up because I promised her and my sister I’d take them this year. I don’t care what I do there. I just want to say my mum’s been to Ally Pally because normally it’s just my dad there having a beer.”
It’s a full-circle moment. Last year’s World Championship saw Ricky thrill crowds in outrageous outfits, battling past Dave Chisnall before falling in the third round to Robert Owen. Now, with love fueling his throws and Elisha’s memory in his heart, he’s approaching the tournament differently. Wins would be brilliant, but family comes first.
“It’s great,” he said of his new romance. “It’s a bit of a boost for the family as well.”
Ricky’s journey this year—from the depths of loss to the warmth of new beginnings—reminds everyone that even in sport’s brightest lights, real life happens. He’s proof that happiness can sneak back in when you least expect it, one dart at a time. As the festive lights glow at Ally Pally, Rapid Ricky steps up not just as a player, but as a brother, son, and partner who’s earned every smile.
All loved up and rapid as ever, 2025 ends on a high note. And whatever the scoreboard says, that’s a victory worth celebrating.
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