In a moment that perfectly captures the wild side of social media challenges, two of professional darts’ biggest names – Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey – found themselves at the center of a stomach-churning video that’s exploded across platforms like TikTok and X. What started as a lighthearted dare involving a notorious Swedish delicacy quickly spiraled into chaos, with projectile vomiting splashing across clothes, a car interior, and leaving everyone involved in utter disbelief. The clip, posted just days ago, has already racked up hundreds of thousands of views, sparking a mix of horror, laughter, and outright disgust from fans worldwide.
The challenge in question revolved around surströmming, the infamous fermented herring from Sweden that’s earned a fearsome reputation as one of the world’s most pungent foods. Often described as “the stinkiest fish on Earth,” it’s traditionally opened outdoors because the overwhelming odor – a brutal mix of rotten eggs, sewage, and decay – can linger for hours and induce instant nausea in the uninitiated. The Phat Lads, a popular duo known for their outrageous food challenges on TikTok, decided to up the ante by cramming into a confined car space with their guests: Aspinall, Dobey, and another influencer. The plan? Crack open a can inside the vehicle and see who could handle the assault on their senses.
As the tin was pried open, the reaction was immediate and visceral. The air thickened with the foul stench, and faces contorted in agony. Aspinall, the former UK Open champion nicknamed “The Asp,” was among the first to crack, retching violently as the smell hit him like a freight train. Dobey, known as “Hollywood” for his flashy style on the oche, soon followed, his body rejecting the mere whiff of the herring in spectacular fashion. Vomit flew in multiple directions, coating shirts, seats, and even the dashboard in a messy aftermath that had to be seen to be believed. One participant after another succumbed, turning the car into a scene straight out of a comedy-horror flick.
The video captures the escalating panic perfectly: wide-eyed stares giving way to desperate gags, hands clutching mouths in vain attempts to hold it together, and finally, the inevitable eruptions. “Miesten vaatteet ja auto täyttyvät oksennuksesta,” as one overseas report aptly put it – translating to the men’s clothes and the car filling up with vomit. When they finally stumbled out of the vehicle, the full extent of the damage was revealed: stained fabrics, pooled remnants on the floor, and a lingering haze that no amount of fresh air could immediately dispel. The Phat Lads, no strangers to extreme eats (their previous surströmming attempts have garnered millions of views), seemed almost prepared for the carnage, but even they couldn’t contain the fallout entirely.
For Aspinall and Dobey, both seasoned PDC pros gearing up for the upcoming World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, this was uncharted territory. These are athletes who thrive under pressure, nailing 180s in front of roaring crowds and battling for major titles. Aspinall, a multiple-time TV event winner with a fiery on-stage presence, and Dobey, the 2023 Masters champion with a knack for big-stage upsets, are best mates off the board and often team up for fun content. But nothing in their darts careers could have prepared them for this sensory onslaught. The clip shows them laughing through the initial discomfort, banter flowing as the can is opened, only for the mood to shift dramatically as biology took over.
Social media erupted in response. Comments flooded in with phrases like “best video I’ll watch all year” mixed with outright revulsion: “This is why surströmming should be banned in enclosed spaces!” Fans of the sport were particularly amused, seeing their heroes reduced to heaving messes far removed from the precision and poise they display during matches. “Aspinall en Dobey moesten overgeven van de geur,” noted one outlet, highlighting how the smell alone triggered the chain reaction. The video’s virality has only grown, with clips reshared across languages, drawing in viewers who can’t look away from the trainwreck.
This isn’t the first time darts players have dabbled in viral challenges – Aspinall once nervously threw a dart at an apple held in an influencer’s mouth, and the PDC stars frequently engage with fans online for lighthearted content. But the surströmming saga stands out for its sheer gross-out factor, proving that even top athletes have their limits. As one observer quipped about the Phat Lads’ series, previous attempts already hit millions of views – this edition, featuring two darts aces, has skyrocketed past hundreds of thousands in mere days.
In the end, the incident highlights the fun, approachable side of professional darts in 2025. While Aspinall and Dobey will soon return to the bright lights of the PDC circuit, chasing glory in high-stakes tournaments, this vomit-filled detour reminds everyone that they’re just regular lads willing to suffer for a laugh. The car might need a deep clean, and the clothes could be headed for the bin, but the memories – and the views – will last forever. As the World Championship approaches, fans can only hope their favorite players’ stomachs settle in time for the oche. One thing’s for sure: next time someone suggests a food challenge, these two might politely decline.
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