In the high-stakes arena of the 2026 Winmau World Masters at Milton Keynes’ Arena MK, darts legend Gary Anderson delivered a masterclass in resilience on Thursday night. The 55-year-old Scot, ranked sixth in the world, faced a gritty challenge from Dutch qualifier Niels Zonneveld in the opening round of the 32-player event. Zonneveld, ranked 41st, struck first with a commanding 2-0 set victory, capitalizing on Anderson’s sluggish start—marked by a flurry of missed doubles that left the crowd holding its breath.
But Anderson, a two-time PDC World Champion fresh off back-to-back titles, is no stranger to fighting spirit. He roared back, claiming four of the next five legs to seize control. Zonneveld refused to fade quietly, unleashing a stunning 121 checkout to drag the match into a deciding set. Yet Anderson’s experience shone through: clinical finishes on tops and double 16 sealed a hard-fought 3-2 win. He averaged an impressive 101, smashed three maximum 180s, and posted a high checkout of 117. With that, the “Flying Scotsman” advanced to the second round, where he’ll clash with England’s James Wade.
What followed in the post-match interview, however, turned the night into something unforgettable. Anderson, never one to mince words, lost his cool in spectacular fashion. Still buzzing from the battle, he launched into a fiery, unfiltered rant that laid bare his disdain for the influx of social media influencers trying to cash in on darts’ explosive popularity.
“I’m a darts player, I’m not here to sit and talk and tell stories,” he began, with the kind of raw honesty that has defined his career. “And when I do, I usually get into trouble.” Then, without missing a beat, he zeroed in on the YouTube stars flooding the sport. “I don’t do YouTube, but I’m watching. We’ve got, what do you call them? Influencers? How to play darts. I’ve never seen the bloke in my life, I’ve watched him play darts, he’s absolutely rank at it. So why watch him?”
The frustration poured out like a torrent. Anderson wasn’t just venting about one anonymous online figure—he was calling out the entire trend that’s turned darts into a viral spectacle. With the sport riding a massive wave thanks to teenage sensation Luke Littler and crossover stars like AngryGinge teaming up with pros, brands are scrambling. Darts equipment prices have skyrocketed, and influencers are raking in views by “teaching” the game. To Anderson, it’s all smoke and mirrors.
“Kids need to learn they can go buy a set of darts that cost you £10, £20, £40, £50,” he urged passionately. “Instead of spending hundreds of pounds on darts and play the game. Influencers? What a load of b*****cks. Absolutely t*****s.” He doubled down with trademark bluntness: “He’s absolutely rank at it so why watch him? What a load of b******s. There’s my influencers—what a load of ****. Absolute tossers.”
Anderson’s point hit home for anyone who’s watched darts evolve from pub pastime to global phenomenon. “How many times have you watched boys on YouTube, they look like a pro—who is he? For young kids, it ain’t good. Just let them play darts and enjoy it. Buy a £20 set of darts and enjoy your game of darts. End of. Easy.”
It’s classic Gary: a man who’s thrown darts for decades, won major titles through sheer grit, and values the purity of the oche over hype. At a time when the PDC circuit is buzzing with fresh faces and social media buzz, his outburst serves as a reminder that the heart of darts beats in the board, not the algorithm. The World Masters continues with top talent like Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall in the mix, but Anderson’s words have already lit a fire—reminding fans that while the sport grows, its soul stays with those who live and breathe it.
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