DARTS favourite Ricky “Rapid” Evans admits he’s itching to hit the Alexandra Palace stage again but fears his famously bonkers Christmas walk-ons might finally have gone too far.
The world No40, gearing up for his 11th PDC World Darts Championship, faces Hong Kong ace Man Lok Leung on Friday as the festive darts marathon kicks off.
Ricky Evans is adored by darts fans for his wild outfitsCredit: PA
He revealed what he would be wearing this year in the World darts ChampionshipCredit: PA
Evans, 35, is adored by fans for his wild, tinsel-soaked outfits and chaotic Christmas entrances and he joked he’d “walk on with reindeer” if he could.
But even he admits he might have hit his limit this year, saying: “I would walk on with reindeer if I could, but maybe that’s a step too far.”
Still, Rapid promises he won’t disappoint, revealing he’ll be sporting a “wonderful Christmas shirt and Christmas trousers”, along with a stash of festive props ready for his trademark walk-on mayhem.
Despite his showman reputation, Evans says the nerves have all but vanished.
He told BBC Radio Northampton : “I’m excited to be on the biggest stage of them all. I can’t wait to play.”
“You’d think it would be nerve-wracking, but I’ve got used to it now. I just get a few goosebumps before they call my name.”
Evans is hoping to finally smash past the last 32, the best result of his Ally Pally career so far.
All eyes, meanwhile, will be on teen sensation Luke Littler, 18, who is defending his title after becoming the sport’s youngest-ever world champion earlier this year.
His meteoric rise has fuelled a boom in young fans picking up darts.
Evans says the change is huge: “There are darts academies now and schools for kids playing darts, it’s unbelievable.
Luke Littler has transformed the world of darts with his historic winsCredit: Alamy
“When I was a kid it was football or rugby in the park. Now boys and girls are playing darts.”
This year’s World Darts Championship runs from 11 December to 3 January, promising festive mayhem, massive crowds – and, courtesy of Rapid Evans – plenty of Christmas sparkle.
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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