Darts is supposed to be about steady hands, sharp maths, and quiet nerves — but every so often, the calm completely evaporates.
Under the bright lights of Alexandra Palace, pressure has a habit of turning even seasoned professionals into walking chaos.
This year’s World Darts Championship delivered another unforgettable meltdown, reminding fans that the sport’s history is packed with moments where emotions ran wild and dignity went missing.
Cameron Menzies and a Night to Forget at Ally Pally
Cameron Menzies’ implosion after losing to a 20-year-old debutant instantly joined darts folklore.
What should have been a routine exit turned into a shocking scene: punches thrown at the table, blood visible, and even a bizarre attempt to burn his own hand on a massive sparkler.
The outburst went viral within hours and became one of the most jaw-dropping sporting moments of the year.
As humiliating as it looked, Menzies isn’t the first player to completely unravel on the oche — and he definitely won’t be the last.
James Wade’s Mic-Drop That Went Too Far
James Wade left fans stunned in 2018 after defeating Seigo Asada and then launching into an aggressive post-match interview.
Speaking live on television, Wade claimed he wanted to “hurt” his opponent, framing the win as a battle fought for his country and his son.
Commentator Wayne Mardle was visibly shaken, calling the remarks “thuggish” and questioning whether Wade meant physical harm.
The backlash was immediate. Wade later apologised, explained he had suffered a hypomanic episode, and was fined £5,000 following an investigation.
Ted Hankey’s Disturbing Self-Talk on the Big Stage
Positive self-talk is common in elite sport — but Ted Hankey took it somewhere else entirely.
During a match against John Walton, microphones picked up Hankey muttering bizarre lines to himself, including asking whether he or “the devil” was in control.
The footage went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Years later, Hankey’s story took a far darker turn when he was jailed for two years in 2022 for sexual assault, a case that ended any remaining darts legacy he had.
Colin Lloyd and the Board That Took the Punch
Long before Menzies, Colin Lloyd showed how frustration can boil over physically.
During the 2011 World Championship, Lloyd smashed his fist into the dartboard after throwing away a lead, cutting his knuckle on the wire.
Ironically, the outburst seemed to reset him mentally.
He went on to win the match and later admitted he’d let emotion get the better of him, arguing that fans and broadcasters often demand visible passion from players — even when it spills over.
Fart-Gate That Left the Sport Holding Its Nose
Not every darts scandal involves violence. Some are… far less dignified.
Wesley Harms accused Gary Anderson of repeatedly farting during their 2018 Grand Slam of Darts match, claiming the smell lingered for days.
Anderson furiously denied the claim, while PDC chairman Barry Hearn leaned into the absurdity, joking that the event would not be renamed the “Grand Slam of Farts.”
The incident became one of the most ridiculous controversies the sport has ever seen.
The Ally Pally Wasp That Became a Celebrity
This year’s championship also featured an unexpected star: a wasp.
The insect buzzed around players, interrupted interviews, and even gained its own social media following.
Its apparent demise came when slow-motion footage showed a dart thrown by Nitin Kumar seemingly striking the wasp mid-flight.
Fans were left debating whether it was a glancing blow or a direct hit — a bizarre subplot only darts could produce.
A Moment of Pure Magic Between Two Michaels
Amid all the madness, darts has also produced moments of pure brilliance.
The 2023 World Championship final between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith delivered what many consider the greatest leg in history.
Both players opened with back-to-back 180s.
Van Gerwen narrowly missed a nine-darter, only for Smith to step up and finish his own with treble 20, treble 19, and double 12.
Wayne Mardle’s breathless commentary captured the moment perfectly as the arena erupted.
Adrian Lewis and a Career of Confrontations
Adrian Lewis has never been shy about speaking his mind.
His clashes date back to 2006 when he stormed off stage against Peter Manley, accusing his opponent of gamesmanship.
The drama didn’t stop there.
Years later, Lewis became embroiled in heated arguments over allegedly loose floorboards — once with James Wade and again with Peter Wright.
Each time, Lewis insisted opponents were deliberately trying to disrupt his rhythm.
Despite being the common thread in these disputes, Lewis has always defended himself as someone who wears his heart on his sleeve and refuses to stay silent.
Phil Taylor’s Uncomfortable Live TV Blow-Up
Even the sport’s greatest-ever player wasn’t immune to losing his cool.
After a win at the 2017 World Championship, Phil Taylor clashed with Wayne Mardle during a live Sky Sports interview.
Taylor bristled at a question about opponent composure, accusing Mardle of trying to stitch him up on air.
The exchange was tense, awkward, and unforgettable — a rare moment where the usually composed legend let irritation take over.
Gerwyn Price and the Rise of a Darts Villain
Gerwyn Price’s aggressive celebrations have divided opinion for years.
His confrontations with Simon Whitlock and Gary Anderson in 2018 pushed things to breaking point, leading to referee warnings, fan complaints, and a hefty £21,500 fine.
As boos followed him from venue to venue, Price famously responded by wearing noise-cancelling headphones mid-match.
The oversized ear defenders became iconic — and were eventually banned — cementing his status as darts’ ultimate pantomime villain.
When Pressure Turns Legends into Headlines
From punches and arguments to insects and absurd accusations, darts has proven time and again that it’s never short on drama.
The sport thrives on tension, but sometimes that pressure explodes in ways nobody expects.
With every new championship, fans can only wonder what — or who — will snap next under the bright lights of Ally Pally.
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