The PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace is renowned for its electric atmosphere, fancy-dress fans, and high-stakes drama on the oche. But sometimes, the real action unfolds backstage in the players’ practice room, where tensions run high and unexpected surprises can catch even the most seasoned professionals off guard. That’s exactly what happened to Nathan Aspinall ahead of his second-round clash, when American rival Leonard Gates pulled off a bizarre prank that left the Stockport star utterly terrified.
Moments before stepping onto the iconic stage, Aspinall was focused on his warm-up when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he came face-to-face with Gates wearing a full Chewbacca mask—the iconic furry Wookiee from Star Wars, complete with snarling expression and wild mane. The sudden ambush caught Aspinall completely unaware, sending his heart racing in the buildup to one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
In the aftermath of his dominant 3-0 victory over Gates, Aspinall didn’t hold back on describing the shock. “Have you heard what he did in the practice room? He turned up, tapped me on the back, and he had a Chewbacca mask on. Honest to God, I can’t say it, but I pooed my pants. I was a bit scared,” he admitted with a laugh. “I was really scared, I’m not going to lie.” The former UK Open and World Matchplay champion, nicknamed ‘The Asp’, revealed the prank nearly derailed his composure just minutes before the walk-on.
Gates, known for his entertaining antics and vibrant personality, had hinted at some mischief before the match. After his first-round win, the American jokester teased plans to unsettle his opponent, saying he might shadow Aspinall or “let him know my hand is in your pocket” to throw him off his game. True to his word, he donned the Chewbacca mask in the players’ lounge. “We were in the players’ room and I was wearing my Chewbacca mask. I walked up to him and he was like: Oh my God, what is this? So that’s a start. I’m going to peek around the corner with him and show: Hey, I’m still here. Hopefully it will work to my advantage. No disrespect to Nathan, of course,” Gates explained.
Fortunately for Aspinall, the fright didn’t linger once the arrows started flying. He quickly regained his focus, sweeping aside the fun-loving American in straight sets without dropping a single one. While Aspinall admitted he didn’t play at his absolute peak—”I’ve won two games, I’ve dropped one set in two matches and played pretty average”—he was relieved to advance and praised the incredible support from the Ally Pally crowd, describing it as “unbelievable.”
This light-hearted incident highlights the unique camaraderie in professional darts, where fierce competition on stage often mixes with playful banter off it. Gates has built a reputation for bringing energy and entertainment, previously appearing in quirky outfits like ski goggles during his opener. His Chewbacca stunt was intended as harmless fun, aiming to gain a psychological edge without malice. Aspinall, ever the good sport, acknowledged his opponent’s character: “He is a great guy. I played him last year.”
Now into the third round, Aspinall faces a tougher test against Dutch talent Kevin Doets, a player who has dominated their head-to-head record in recent years. “Kevin is a great player. I have not got a very good record against him. And I think he knows as he has been talking to me in the hotel,” Aspinall noted, aware of the challenge ahead over the festive period.
Incidents like this add an extra layer of charm to the World Championship, reminding fans that beneath the precision throws and massive checkouts, these athletes are human—capable of being startled by a furry mask just like anyone else. As the tournament progresses toward its thrilling conclusion, stories like Aspinall’s backstage scare will be retold among fans, blending the sport’s intensity with its endearing sense of humor. Who knows what other surprises await in the shadows of Alexandra Palace?
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