Cameron Menzies has spoken candidly about the chaotic scenes that followed his dramatic exit from the World Darts Championship, admitting he personally reached out to Charlie Manby to say sorry.
What should have been a gripping debut story instead ended with concern, shock, and a lot of soul-searching.
The 36-year-old Scot was knocked out in a nerve-shredding 3–2 battle by Manby, a 20-year-old newcomer who held his nerve when it mattered most.
But the result was quickly overshadowed by Menzies’ angry reaction on stage.
Frustration Turns Physical After Narrow Defeat
As the tension spilled over, Menzies lashed out at his drinks table, hammering it repeatedly until his hand was left bloodied.
In a moment that alarmed fans and officials alike, he also placed his hand over the pyrotechnics cannon while it was still fizzing, adding to the sense that things had spiralled out of control.
The images from Alexandra Palace were uncomfortable viewing, especially given the high-profile stage and the emotion of the occasion.
Manby Marches On as Spotlight Shifts
While the fallout rumbled on, Manby quietly prepared for the next step in his fairytale run.
The youngster, who has been turning heads on the Youth Development Tour with a staggering 130.70 average, earned a second-round clash with Adam Sevada on Monday night.
His breakthrough win should have been the main talking point — and Menzies was keen to make sure it stayed that way.
A Personal Apology Shared With the World
Ahead of Manby’s next match, Menzies took to social media to explain that he had contacted his opponent directly.
In a heartfelt message, he made it clear there was no bitterness towards the young dart thrower.
He wished Manby well, confirmed they had spoken privately, and said the apology had been accepted with understanding.
Menzies stressed that his outburst was about his own frustration, not Manby’s performance or victory, and thanked fans for the wave of support he received afterward.
He also reassured followers that his injured hand was healing and signed off with an apology, festive wishes, and a clear sense of regret.
Grief Behind the Scenes Comes to Light
Menzies had earlier opened up about the deeper reasons behind his emotional state, revealing he had recently lost his uncle Gary — someone he described as a father figure.
He spoke movingly about visiting him just days before his death and the look they shared, saying it stayed with him.
Compounding the pain was the realisation that, had he beaten Manby, his next match would have fallen on the day of his uncle’s funeral.
Still, Menzies was adamant that personal grief was not an excuse.
He admitted his behaviour on stage was wrong, said it did not reflect who he wants to be, and was clear that Manby fully deserved the win.
Owning the Mistake and Looking Ahead
The Scot acknowledged that while he can be emotional, this crossed a line.
He made a point of saying he never wanted the incident to distract from Manby’s achievement or define his own character.
It was a moment of raw honesty, accountability, and reflection — the kind that doesn’t come easily under the bright lights of Ally Pally.
Fallon Sherrock Adds an Awkward Footnote
Adding another layer to the drama, Menzies’ former partner Fallon Sherrock appeared to poke fun at the incident during her own first-round defeat.
As she approached her table, cameras caught her giving it a seemingly sarcastic shake before she went on to lose 3–0 to Dave Chisnall.
Sherrock and Menzies, once considered darts’ power couple, went their separate ways in July, and the moment did not go unnoticed by viewers.
A Tournament Moment No One Will Forget
What began as a classic World Championship thriller turned into one of the tournament’s most talked-about nights. For Manby, it was a career-defining win.
For Menzies, it became a painful lesson played out in public — followed by a sincere attempt to put things right.
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