The PDC World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace delivered yet another moment of high-stakes drama when seasoned Scottish player Cameron Menzies suffered a shocking first-round exit, only for the aftermath to overshadow the match itself. The 36-year-old, seeded 26th, was edged out 3-2 in a nerve-shredding five-set thriller by 20-year-old English debutant Charlie Manby, leading to an outburst that left Menzies with a bloodied hand and now facing possible disciplinary action from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA).
The contest was a classic display of darts’ unforgiving nature, full of missed opportunities and mounting pressure. Menzies, known for his aggressive style and emotional intensity, seized control early. He claimed the first set in a deciding leg, despite wasting a dozen darts at doubles, and powered ahead with a barrage of 180 maximums. By the third set, he led 2-1, appearing poised to advance comfortably. Yet Manby, the young sensation from Huddersfield nicknamed “Champagne Charlie” for his bubbly personality and flair, mounted an impressive comeback. Trailing twice, the debutant leveled the scores and forced a decider, where both players faltered repeatedly on doubles amid the electric atmosphere.
Tension peaked in the final set as chances slipped away. Manby, showing maturity far beyond his years, finally converted his seventh match dart—hitting a crucial double after a sequence of nervy misses—to clinch victory. The teenager erupted in joy, pumping his fists and soaking up the cheers from the packed crowd, marking a dream start to his World Championship career.
In stark contrast, Menzies’ reaction was one of raw frustration. As Manby celebrated, the Scot turned to the drinks table on stage and delivered three powerful punches to its underside. Water bottles toppled, his darts case flew off, and blood soon streamed from a deep gash on his knuckles. The crowd responded with boos, while referee Kirk Bevins quickly intervened, urging Menzies to calm down and exit the stage. The veteran briefly raised his hands in acknowledgment—possibly an apology—before leaving, wiping blood across his face as he departed. He required medical attention on-site and was later taken to hospital for treatment.
Commentators expressed disbelief at the scenes. Former Premier League champion Glen Durrant, analyzing the match, stated, “It wasn’t the ending we all want to see. For Cameron Menzies, I think he will regret that for the rest of his life, it wasn’t a good watch.” His co-commentator added that it seemed like a “spur-of-the-moment thing,” noting Menzies’ gesture of apology as he left.
This marks the second consecutive year Menzies has crashed out in the opening round at Alexandra Palace. Previously, he was overcome with tears after a loss amid personal struggles. This time, the emotion boiled over into anger, highlighting the immense mental toll the sport can exact.
In the hours following the incident, Menzies issued a sincere apology via a statement. “First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened,” he began. “I am sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did. It’s not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end. It has not been an easy time for me with my uncle Gary passing away recently. I saw him four days before he died and he gave me a look which told me how much he thought of me. He treated me like a son. Had I won the game against Charlie, my second match would have been on the day of Gary’s funeral and that hasn’t been lost on me in recent days.”
He went on to praise his opponent and express regret: “It was the wrong thing to do and I don’t want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well and deserved his win. This is not how I would like people to view me. Yes, I can get emotional at times, but not like that and that wasn’t right.”
The governing body has confirmed the matter will be reviewed by the DRA, which handles disciplinary issues including aggressive or disruptive behavior. While no immediate penalty has been announced, officials have emphasized support for player welfare, with conversations held between Menzies, his management, and PDC representatives to ensure he has access to necessary resources.
For Manby, the win catapults him into the spotlight as one of darts’ exciting new talents. A standout on the Development Tour and friend of teenage sensation Luke Littler, he demonstrated remarkable composure to topple a seeded player. His progression to the second round offers a chance to build on this momentum in what is already shaping up to be a breakthrough tournament.
Incidents like this serve as a reminder of the passion that fuels professional darts, where the line between triumph and despair is razor-thin. The sport’s biggest stage amplifies emotions, and while Menzies’ outburst drew criticism, his subsequent remorse and personal context have elicited sympathy from many in the darts community. As the championship progresses with more high-profile matches ahead, attention will turn to whether any formal sanction follows, and how Menzies channels this experience moving forward.
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