In the electric atmosphere of Alexandra Palace, where the PDC World Darts Championship transforms into a cauldron of tension and triumph, Callan Rydz delivered a performance for the ages. The 27-year-old Englishman, known to fans as “The Riot” for his explosive style and unmistakable hairstyle, clawed his way to a heart-stopping 3-2 victory over close friend Daryl Gurney in a second-round thriller that had the 3,300-strong crowd roaring on its feet. It was the final session before the Christmas break, and Ally Pally lived up to its reputation as the world’s most intoxicating stage.
The match was a five-set epic, a rollercoaster of maximums, miraculous checkouts, and sheer willpower. Rydz, ranked 42 in the world, unleashed eight devastating 180s and rattled in two stunning 167 finishes—checkouts so audacious they seemed to defy gravity. Trailing 2-1 in sets, he mounted a ferocious comeback, forcing a decider where he edged Gurney 5-3 in legs. The winning dart sealed it, prompting a heartfelt embrace between the two warriors, who share a bond forged in the unforgiving world of professional darts. Gurney, the Northern Irish World Cup winner, had advanced past Beau Greaves in the first round and pushed Rydz all the way, but on this day, the Geordie from Bedlington refused to yield.
As the applause thundered, Rydz stepped up for his on-stage Sky Sports interview, microphone in hand, the weight of the world visible in his eyes. What followed was a raw, unfiltered moment that transcended sport. Tears welled up as he spoke of his grandad, the family patriarch whose deteriorating health has cast a shadow over Rydz’s campaign. “Daryl has been one of the only lads who knows what has been going on back home with my grandad,” Rydz said, his voice cracking. “He has been messaging me, asking if I’m okay. I am getting emotional thinking about it. I don’t know what to say. My head’s all over the place but Ally Pally is the best place to play.”
The Bedlington ace cut the interview short, overwhelmed, but later backstage, he poured out his heart. “I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m struggling,” he admitted. “It’s hard when you have stuff going on back home. I came here to try and forget about it. It’s hard. I play for my family.” Rydz revealed the family is bracing for what could be their last Christmas together, a stark reality that has sapped his focus. He confessed he hadn’t practiced properly, laid low by a bout of flu that kept him bedridden for days. “I’ve got a job to do and thankfully I got through,” he added. “I have too much stuff going on back home. I hear the crowd sing my name and I smile. But I wish I was home.”
Darts has always been Rydz’s family lifeline. Introduced to the oche as a four- or five-year-old, he grew up in a household where everyone threw arrows—his grandma, grandad, and mum all enthusiasts. “My full family played,” he once recalled fondly. His grandad remains his ultimate inspiration, the one who fueled his dreams while watching Lakeside Worlds on TV. Tragically, his grandma passed away last year, leading to an emotional on-stage dedication during the previous championship. Now, with his grandad fading, Rydz faces an agonizing crossroads. “We are preparing for this to be the last Christmas,” he shared. Christmas traditions paint a vivid picture: if his grandad pulls through, they’ll head to the pub for laughs with the lads, followed by dinner. Rydz even hops on his grandad’s mobility scooter, cranking it to “high and fast mode” to tear around Bedlington like a kid again. “My grandad likes a laugh about that—and that makes me happy. Everything I do is for them.”
The weight of it all has Rydz questioning his future. “Listen, once he goes, I will probably consider packing in. Probably. But I don’t know. I have a decision if I want to keep doing it.” Yet, amid the pain, there’s resilience. On stage, he praised the matchup: “It was great. I get on with Daryl really well, it’s hard playing your friends but at the same time you’ve got a job to do. Daryl would have said the same if he was sat here now. So, I’m just grateful I come back after Christmas.”
Rydz’s Ally Pally affinity runs deep. A two-time quarter-finalist here—in 2020 and last year, where Michael van Gerwen halted his surge—he thrives under the spotlight. The crowd adores him, chanting “He’s got s*** hair, we don’t care, Callan, Callan Rydz!” as he lined up his throws. From a BMX background to pro darts, he’s a natural showman, big on scoring and finishing. This win propels him to the last 32 for the third time in his career, facing either Josh Rock or Joe Comito post-Christmas. A potential path to another deep run looms, perhaps even a rematch with van Gerwen.
In a tournament brimming with underdogs and giants—Luke Littler defending his crown, Peter Wright crashing out—Rydz’s story stands out. It’s not just about the darts; it’s human, heartfelt, a reminder that behind every arrow is a life of joy and heartbreak. As Ally Pally falls silent for the holidays, Rydz heads home to cherish time with his grandad, scooter rides and all. Whatever comes next, his passion burns bright—for family, for the oche, for the riot within.
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