1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,400 ROB: 'It's the hottest sport in the country right now.' 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:07,800 COMMENTATOR: His age means nothing. 3 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:11,120 'And over the last nine months, Rom and I have been training 4 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:13,480 to compete at this year's showpiece event, 5 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:16,000 the World Darts Championships.' 6 00:00:18,080 --> 00:00:20,120 The ascension is complete! 7 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:23,040 ROMESH: 'We'll be hanging out with the teenager 8 00:00:23,080 --> 00:00:25,680 who's shaken up the sport...' COACH: Game shot. 9 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:28,560 '..17-year-old sensation Luke Littler.' 10 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:31,840 (LAUGHTER) 11 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:34,840 'Training with former pro turned pundit, Wayne Mardle.' 12 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:35,880 Do exactly that. 13 00:00:37,160 --> 00:00:38,520 Oh! 14 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:40,080 I'm excited for you. 15 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:42,440 'Before going head-to-head in front of thousands 16 00:00:42,480 --> 00:00:45,080 at this year's World Championship.' 17 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:03,200 180! 18 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:05,520 Darts. 19 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,160 I mean, the big thing for this episode 20 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,039 is that you and me are going head-to-head 21 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,520 in the arrows at the World Championship. 22 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:16,280 Right, this is stressful, Rom, 23 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:19,120 there's going to be a lot of people chanting at us, 24 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:20,400 screaming at us, 25 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:23,039 and they love giving the darts players a bit of grief. 26 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,360 Well, I've been to the darts at Ally Pally a few times. 27 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:27,400 Have you? Yeah. 28 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,360 I've never been. Did you go when you were famous or pre-fame? 29 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,120 Well, so what happened was I went... It must be a different vibe. 30 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:36,120 I went when I was sort of at the dawn of fame. 31 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:38,240 "The dawn." So I was getting recognised. 32 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,680 What was that, It's Not Rocket Science with Ben Miller and Rachel Riley? 33 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,640 (LAUGHS)No, it was after that. It was after that. 34 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:46,160 Well after that. 35 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:48,120 There's all these people in fancy dress 36 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:49,640 and then they just go, 37 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,000 they saw me and they started going, "Romesh, down your pint, 38 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:56,480 Romesh, Romesh, down your pint." And then I did. 39 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:58,800 Yep. The night ended with me sort of... 40 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:02,120 I think it was 6am on Oxford Street trying to get an Uber home. 41 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:03,880 Oh, I remember this story. Yeah. 42 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,160 Is this when you had to go out for the day with the kids 43 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:09,360 and you got back at six? I got in at 7:30, yeah, 44 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,160 and Leesa and the kids were just getting up getting ready to go 45 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:14,600 to Hever Castle for the day. (LAUGHS) 46 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:19,840 'With nine months until our big debut at Ally Pally, 47 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:22,600 we needed to get to grips with the game. 48 00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:27,920 So we were meeting teenage darts sensation, Luke Littler. 49 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:30,280 The Nuke burst on to the scene early last year, 50 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:34,360 storming his way into the 2024 World Championship final. 51 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:36,680 Now, at just 17, he's going toe-to-toe 52 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:39,360 with the biggest names in darts. 53 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:42,200 He was the perfect person to help us with our challenge, 54 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,640 so we had to make sure we won him over.' 55 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:46,360 What does a 17-year-old like to do? 56 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:48,480 Your boy's what... You've got teenage boys? 57 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:51,080 My eldest is 14, almost 15. Right. 58 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:54,960 So what do you like doing with him? When I do bowling with the kids, 59 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,480 there's the arcade next door, part of the thing.Yeah. 60 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:00,120 We just go round.Perfect, basically the stepdad special. 61 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,240 Yeah, you spend 40 quid on arcade games. 62 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:04,640 Throw money at it.Yeah, and then you get enough tickets 63 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:06,720 to buy a chew bar. Yeah, perfect. 64 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,720 Yeah.He's 17, I'm shagging his mum and he don't like me. 65 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:10,760 (LAUGHS) 66 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,079 'An arcade felt like the perfect place to meet, 67 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,079 we'd heard Luke loves a bit of gaming when he's not on the oche, 68 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:21,560 so we arranged to meet him at Gravity Max in Liverpool. 69 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:23,760 Basically a gamers paradise.' 70 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:28,040 OK. Here we are. 71 00:03:28,079 --> 00:03:30,000 Yeah. I think he's gonna love it, do you? 72 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:32,040 It feels weird now, doesn't it? What's that? 73 00:03:32,079 --> 00:03:34,880 Well, two blokes of our age meeting a 17-year-old 74 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:36,240 to take him round the arcades. 75 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:38,440 It'll be fine, though, won't it? Once it gets busier. 76 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:40,320 It will be fine. Yeah, once it gets busier 77 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:42,040 and there's more witnesses. Yeah. 78 00:03:42,079 --> 00:03:44,240 We're trying to... "bond" doesn't feel right. 79 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:46,880 We're trying to interact with him. That doesn't even seem right. 80 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:48,720 I want to get him out of his shell and- 81 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:49,880 No.No? I wouldn't say that. 82 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:51,520 Stay in the shell. Keep him in the shell. 83 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:52,960 Yes, cos that's what appropriate. 84 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,120 Keep him in the shell. Let's all keep our shells on.Yeah. 85 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:59,280 This is our Epstein Island. Yeah. 86 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:00,600 This is how we go, mate. Yeah. 87 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:02,040 Fast forward 15 years, 88 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,720 I'm gonna be sat opposite Emily Maitlis telling her I can't sweat. 89 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:06,680 'We'd only been in the arcade a few minutes 90 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:08,880 and we were already having doubts, 91 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,519 but it was too late to pull the plug.' 92 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,600 Luke's here. Hello. Hello mate. How's it going? 93 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:15,360 You alright?All good. Nice to see you. 94 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:17,000 Nice to see you. Thanks for coming down. 95 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,680 We thought we'd go arcade. You're into computer games, ain't ya? 96 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:21,720 Yeah. Do you come arcade though? 97 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:24,000 Not like this. Not like this. Yes. 98 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:26,760 We thought we'd have a nice fun time, didn't we? 99 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,600 I wish I hadn't said any of that out loud but that's what we're gonna do. 100 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:30,640 Sweet, let's go. 101 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,280 It felt like such a good idea until we said, 102 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:35,080 "Hello, Luke, welcome to the arcades." 103 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:39,840 From then, it was just an unmitigated disaster. 104 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:42,159 Bit of horse racing? Yeah. 105 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,640 Looks like fun. What 17-year-old wants to go 106 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:46,520 and join two middle aged men at the arcades? 107 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:49,400 It looks like you're taking your stepson out for the day. 108 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:51,960 Right, you in, son. (LAUGHS) 109 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:53,960 I mean, his manager's watching off camera, 110 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:56,360 he's probably going, "Luke, let's swerve this, mate." 111 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:58,360 (LAUGHTER) 112 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,040 This is mental. 113 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:02,240 I thought it was going to be nice getting to know you, 114 00:05:02,280 --> 00:05:04,400 but for some reason they've decided to bring you 115 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,720 to the arcades like it's a custody issue. 116 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:08,120 Come on. 117 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:10,600 Watch out, Rom, he's coming. Yes, Luke. 118 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,120 Shut up, shut up, Rob. 119 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,600 Do you know what, what we've done has been pretty smart, 120 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:18,200 pretty switched on, cos we've gone "Let's break the ice, 121 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:21,960 let's expose ourselves," not physically but emotionally. 122 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:23,840 He seems to be enjoying it. 123 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:26,600 I can see you, lads. 124 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:28,360 Yeah. Oh, my God. 125 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:30,240 We've got him in his own world, where he says, 126 00:05:30,280 --> 00:05:32,040 "Hey, I'm 17 and up for a good time." 127 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:33,840 (LAUGHTER) 128 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:35,000 (SCREAMING) 129 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:39,480 How do we get the best out of our 17-year-olds? 130 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:41,040 We dance for them. 131 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:42,920 They don't dance for us. 132 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:44,280 (CHEERFUL MUSIC PLAYS) 133 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,200 Do you know what, I can't. Is Luke still here? 134 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:49,480 This is embarrassing. 135 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:52,800 Let's not look too deep into what's happened in this arcade today. 136 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,240 Where's the fucking... 137 00:05:56,280 --> 00:05:57,840 Let's just know it all happened 138 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:00,040 and everyone agreed to everything that happened, 139 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:02,280 and we move on with our lives. 140 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:06,560 'With the arcade behind us, we needed to get things back on track, 141 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,520 and luckily Luke had invited us for a practice session 142 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:13,800 at his old stomping ground, the St Helens Youth Darts Academy. 143 00:06:13,840 --> 00:06:17,640 The drive there was our chance to finally get some questions in.' 144 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:19,880 Do you like it, Rom, in the back? How's it in the back? 145 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:21,920 What is this? You look weird in the back. 146 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:26,159 It's so mental. This is like Rob and Luke versus Romesh Ranganathan. 147 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,200 I'm sat in back here. Yeah but it feels... 148 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:29,640 I'm like your kid. 149 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:31,960 What is this place we're going to, in St Helens? 150 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,560 Darts academy. Darts academy. 151 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:35,360 The one I went to. I'm going to be honest with you, 152 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:36,920 I didn't know there was a darts academy. 153 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,960 Is that a relatively recent thing or has that been going on for years? 154 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:42,600 There's been darts academy for years and years 155 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:45,159 but ever since the World Championships 156 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:46,720 it's just got bigger and bigger. 157 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:49,560 So more kids wanna do it because of you, basically. 158 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:51,120 Respect, actually. 159 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:54,760 It's actually cos less people wanna do comedy since Romesh started. 160 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,320 Don't worry about it. Oh, yeah, let's do a group one. 161 00:06:57,360 --> 00:06:59,320 No, oh this is... 162 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:02,000 (LAUGHTER) 163 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:04,840 Do you know what the thing was? Pathetic, you pathetic loser. 164 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,480 I knew that was gonna happen but I still, on the off chance... 165 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:10,440 No, I'm only joking, no, come on then, let's do. Go on. 166 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,120 Is it weird, Luke, knowing that you've basically changed 167 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:18,920 the perception of the sport, it's become bigger 168 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,560 as a direct result of you, is that something you ever think about? 169 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,400 I know I've changed it a lot. Yeah. 170 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:28,280 Just a good thing that the PDC, as well as the PDC Europe, 171 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:30,440 they're getting the numbers up. Yeah. 172 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,320 It's just gone crazy. That's great. 173 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:35,040 They must be sucking up to you so much, right? 174 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,600 I mean, come on, mate, you're literally bringing money 175 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:40,720 into the game, they must say "Hi, hi Luke!" 176 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:42,840 "Come in, Luke, come in here if you want. 177 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:44,120 Do you need anything?" 178 00:07:44,159 --> 00:07:45,800 "We got you, we got you Rob and Romesh Vs 179 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:47,520 and we're gonna put Romesh in the back!" 180 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:49,520 You've got to get over the sitting in the back, 181 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:51,480 someone had to go in the back and I don't- 182 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:54,360 I'm the one that drives, you can't put Luke in the back. 183 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:56,680 Alright, alright, alright. 184 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:59,920 Do you enjoy the fame side of it or is there a downside to it? 185 00:07:59,960 --> 00:08:02,720 I like what I am now, but I love privacy. 186 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,360 Yeah. Are your parents protective? 187 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:08,200 Yeah, I've got my own security now. Have ya?Yeah. 188 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:10,240 You didn't need him for us today, though.Nah. 189 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,920 OK. That's what Romesh is doing in the back. 190 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:17,520 He's keeping an eye on things. Yeah. Got a full 360 view from here. 191 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:19,760 This guy, he sees everything. 192 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,480 These people looking at us, they're going, "Is that Luke Littler 193 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,039 in the car with Rob Beckett and some weird bloke in the back?" 194 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,159 Why is there a bloke in the middle seat in the back, 195 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:31,159 look at her, she's panicking, look. (HORN HONKS) 196 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,200 Give her a wave, Luke. Oh, that is so thirsty behaviour. 197 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:36,440 Alright, I'll move forward so they can see you. 198 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:39,720 No, don't, don't. Romesh, it's Romesh. 199 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:40,960 Romesh is in the back. 200 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:43,240 Romesh is in the back. 201 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:47,040 (LAUGHTER) 202 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:48,920 "I don't know him." Respect that. 203 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:50,040 Oh, God. 204 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:53,400 'The St Helen's Academy have been developing 205 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:55,840 young darts talent for over a decade, 206 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:58,840 and now they were gonna have two middle aged blokes on their books.' 207 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,680 When I was in my younger days, well, even younger, I'd come here. 208 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:04,680 Back in the day. 2021. 209 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:07,480 What did you start, seven years ago when you were 10?Yeah.Yeah. 210 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:09,480 Right, are we gonna have a game? Yeah.Yeah. 211 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,520 'When we play at the World Championships 212 00:09:11,560 --> 00:09:15,040 it will be a leg of darts, 501 down to zero. 213 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,480 To get some practice we were taking on Luke 2 v 1, 214 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:20,680 but since he's one of the best in the world, 215 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:25,040 he gave us a 400-point lead so we were starting at 101.' 216 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:27,800 Good luck. 217 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:29,640 OK, no, that's not very... 218 00:09:29,680 --> 00:09:31,040 Er, no. 219 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:33,360 140. 220 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:36,920 'But even with a 400-point head start, 221 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:40,160 we were getting absolutely battered.' 222 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:42,760 This is actually quite demoralising for me and Rom, 223 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:44,720 there's children laughing at us. 224 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:47,520 Oh, shit. (CHUCKLES) 225 00:09:47,560 --> 00:09:49,880 We're just standing there, having our trousers and pants 226 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:52,720 pulled down and getting our little bottoms smacked. 227 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:54,200 And that is... Game shot. 228 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:55,680 And a match. Luke Littler. 229 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,880 OK. Well, he threw them in quicker than I could add up what was needed. 230 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:04,400 Only someone with undiscovered raw ability is gonna get near him. 231 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:07,360 Something's gonna have to come down from the gods 232 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:09,160 to beat Luke Littler today. 233 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:12,680 'Rob and I were clearly out gunned, 234 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:16,840 so this time Luke stuck with 501 and we only needed two. 235 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:19,840 But to keep it like a proper leg of darts, 236 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:24,480 we had to check out on a double so we were aiming for double one.' 237 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,160 Right, OK, we really need to buckle up here.Yeah. 238 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:33,080 100. Right, Rob. 239 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:35,240 Double one. Let's get this wrapped up, mate. 240 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:36,400 OK, double one. 241 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:41,440 No score. 242 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:43,160 What? No score. 243 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:45,000 Oh, you b- Oh yeah. Yeah you bust. 244 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:47,800 I thought we got three goes each, that's gonna be a problem. 245 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:49,640 No. That is, yeah. 246 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:55,400 Right, so... 25. 247 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:57,920 What you want to do is, don't get it on another number. 248 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:01,120 No I won't. Cos then it's Luke's go again. 249 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:03,480 No score. Well done, though. Inch up. 250 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:05,360 Yeah, you say no score quite aggressively 251 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:06,920 if you don't mind me saying. 252 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:10,120 It's an away match for us, innit. We're on his home ground. 253 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:12,800 It's sort of humiliating, the way he's doing it. 254 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:15,400 96. 255 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:17,160 Yeah, OK. You require two. 256 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:19,800 Yes, we are aware! 257 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:23,480 We are aware of what's required, OK? He's taking the mickey, this guy. 258 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:25,680 So we don't need to hear anymore from you actually. 259 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:27,280 OK, double one. 260 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:31,360 Game shot. Yes. 261 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:34,800 And that's Rob and Romesh. I've just beat Luke Littler! 262 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:38,360 (APPLAUSE) Beat, yeah. I've just beat Luke Littler. 263 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:42,320 Just beat Luke Littler. Well played, mate. Well played. 264 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:46,200 Feels pretty good. 265 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:50,360 Me and Rom, well, not Rom, me, has just defeated Luke Littler. 266 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:52,520 Yes, some people would say 267 00:11:52,560 --> 00:11:55,640 you've beaten a 17-year-old 268 00:11:55,680 --> 00:11:58,280 and you had a 499 head-start. 269 00:11:58,320 --> 00:11:59,600 Yes! 270 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:01,040 And you celebrated in front of him, 271 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,760 his parents and all of the children watching that see him as a hero. 272 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:07,560 And, you know, I can see that point of view 273 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:10,120 but tell you what, it still tasted sweet to me. 274 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:13,600 Wow, well done.Yeah. We did start on two, didn't we? 275 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:15,760 Yeah... What advice would you give us 276 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:19,160 going into that head-to-head at the world finals? 277 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:20,800 Practice. Just practice. 278 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:22,760 Thank you so much, mate, appreciate it. 279 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:25,400 Cheers, Luke. Good luck with it, mate. Lovely to meet ya. 280 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:27,960 Don't let that defeat get in your head, you'll be alright. 281 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:29,920 I'll reset and go again. Sorry about him, mate. 282 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,520 All of these kids, Romesh, are better than you. 283 00:12:32,560 --> 00:12:34,280 Yeah. At comedy as well, probably. 284 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:40,600 'In nine months' time, 285 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:44,880 Rom and I are going head-to-head at the World Darts Championships. 286 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:46,960 We'd hung out with wonder kid, Luke Littler...' 287 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:50,320 This is mental. 288 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,120 '..and our preparations for the worlds 289 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:54,280 couldn't have got off to a better start.' 290 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:55,320 Game shot. Yes. 291 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:57,920 And that's Rob and Romesh. I've just beat Luke Littler! 292 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:01,080 'But having to do it at Ally Pally was a different kettle of fish.' 293 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:03,760 What advice would you give us going in to that head-to-head? 294 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:04,800 Practice. 295 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:08,600 'So a couple of months later we were off to do just that.' 296 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:10,440 Do you think you'd be good at darts? 297 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,880 I feel like I should be good cos I'm working class but...Yeah. 298 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:16,240 ..I don't think that's just a... an in. 299 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:18,960 I mean, I've got an obvious, I don't want to keep going on about it, 300 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,360 there's an obvious disadvantage in my eyesight, 301 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,240 and this is what started to get me thinking about my character, 302 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:25,840 the pirate. 303 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:27,240 Eye patch. Correct. 304 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:28,440 Respect. 305 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:32,560 I think that's a great shout. Romesh The Pirate Ranganathan. 306 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:34,960 Doesn't roll off the tongue. No, it doesn't. Romesh. 307 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,520 The pirate. Captain Bonk Eye. 308 00:13:38,680 --> 00:13:40,720 (CHUCKLES) 309 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:42,800 Yes, yes, Captain Bonk Eye. 310 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:47,280 That'll be the chant. 311 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:48,600 That's a good chant. 312 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:50,680 That's just off the top of our heads. 313 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:52,400 Wow, that was good. OK, what about you? 314 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:56,080 Normally it's a blond teeth... 315 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:58,000 the shark? 316 00:13:58,040 --> 00:13:59,240 Yeah, that's good. 317 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:00,880 Hair into a fin. Yeah. 318 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,240 But, like, up and over. 319 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:06,840 And everyone's going like that as you come on.And I go... 320 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:09,000 I walk like... (LAUGHS) 321 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:19,320 It's tough. Maybe baby shark. 322 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:21,480 Yeah, that's a good one. 323 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:23,480 Daddy drink... 324 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:26,040 325 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:29,880 326 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:30,960 327 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:33,880 'Our nicknames still felt like a work in progress 328 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,720 but right now we had bigger things to focus on, 329 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:38,640 actual darts training. 330 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:41,080 Luke had sorted us a lesson with former player 331 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:44,040 and now legendary commentator, Wayne Mardle.' 332 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,040 Yes, double 12! 333 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,800 That is the most amazing leg of darts 334 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:52,200 you've ever seen in your life! 335 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:55,360 I can't speak, I can't speak. 336 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:59,680 'We'd come to a proper darts boozer in South London to meet him.' 337 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,040 Nice to meet ya, I'm Rob. How you doing?Yeah, you good? 338 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,080 'So he could get us on the road to Ally Pally.' 339 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:06,720 This don't feel like work, does it? No, it doesn't feel like work. 340 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:10,320 Feels like, "We're the only people that have turned up to your stag do" at the moment. 341 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:12,800 What are the basic skills that you need to be a darts player? 342 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,640 Right, I'll teach you the basics, but honestly you need to... 343 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:17,760 It's routine, rhythm, comfort. 344 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:19,640 Routine, rhythm, and comfort? Yeah. 345 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:21,560 You're talking about me and my wife. 346 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:23,440 There's no routine. No, I'm not. 347 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:25,160 Once on birthday, twice at Christmas. 348 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:27,880 If you haven't got routine or rhythm you can't do anything.Right. 349 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:30,920 Again and again, and that, that leads to replication.OK. 350 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:32,720 And that's the important thing. Three R's. 351 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:34,520 You need to replicate what you're doing. 352 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:38,160 I'd shown a bit of something when we played with Luke in St Helen's 353 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,000 but now I'd find out if that was a fluke. 354 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:43,400 Thing is, with darts, it's a working class sport 355 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:46,000 so I should be good at it, but like when I see a posh kid 356 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:49,240 in red trousers, I'm like, "I bet they're good on a horse." 357 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,800 If they're not, you're like, "Why aren't you good at horses?" 358 00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:56,640 Now, in a an ideal world, all you do is just move the forearm, right. 359 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,200 Literally move the forearm. You got weapons behind you. 360 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:00,800 OK. Do you want me to go first? 361 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:04,080 Select your weapons. I'll go for these ones.Right. 362 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,000 Nice.What is there not to like about that? 363 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:10,800 Just his general demeanour and his sort of...(LAUGHS) 364 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,480 ALL: Oh! I'm excited for ya. 365 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:17,160 As expected, I'm not bad at darts. It's in the blood. 366 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:18,560 Oh. Great dart. 367 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:21,800 It's in the DNA, it's how I'm build, do you know what I mean? 368 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,320 Look at this. Come on. 369 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:28,280 You have cracked it. It's in the fucking veins. You have cracked it. 370 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:32,320 'Apparently Rob had nailed it, and now I was dreading my turn.' 371 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:33,920 Genuinely, I can see two hands. 372 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:37,760 The main challenges are physical coordination and eyesight 373 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:40,160 and those are the two things that are only really involved. 374 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:41,320 Aim at the 20. 375 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:43,720 Shit. 376 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:46,040 Oh, shit. 377 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,520 Right, have a target. Have a target, Rom. Try and... 378 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,320 Oh fucking hell, that was shit. You're closing your eye. 379 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:53,920 Well, that's the bad one. Yeah, but why are you closing it? 380 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:56,520 I see this eye as a liar, do you know what I mean, 381 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:59,880 I can't trust what it tells me. (LAUGHS) Sorry. 382 00:16:59,920 --> 00:17:02,040 So it shows you falsehoods, does it? Yeah. 383 00:17:02,079 --> 00:17:05,920 I needed some pointers and Wayne was happy to offer some. 384 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:08,359 When you're throwing the dart, leave your hand. 385 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:10,400 Leave it there. And arm extended. 386 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:13,640 If you take it away then it knock- The dart can go askew. 387 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:15,960 That's a good word for darts. "Askew." 388 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:18,079 So leave it there, leave it there. 389 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:19,240 Yes.Yes. Yes. 390 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:21,640 You left it there. That's a straight line, look. 391 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:23,640 Do it again.Left it there, boy. 392 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,400 Leave it. Yeah, leaving it there, yeah. 393 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:27,120 Straight, look, they're straight now. 394 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,120 What are you going for? 395 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,640 It's quite erratic, Rom, he's sort of...Very erratic. 396 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:33,880 If I was to say early and late release, 397 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:35,680 have you got any idea what I'm on about? 398 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:38,320 Yeah, one of them I can do, one of them I can't. 399 00:17:38,360 --> 00:17:40,440 (LAUGHS) Yeah. 400 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:42,920 To be fair, if I had enough to drink I can do both.Yeah. 401 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:45,400 You have a natural late release. OK. 402 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,400 I want you to release earlier. 403 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:49,720 OK. This is the first time that's been requested. 404 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:51,360 I want you to release earlier. Yeah. 405 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:53,640 If he released any earlier he'd still be dressed. 406 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:55,720 I'd still be in the car on the way home! 407 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:01,600 We still had a long way to go before we were ready 408 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:05,080 for the world championship, but it wasn't just our darts skills 409 00:18:05,120 --> 00:18:07,120 that would be on display at Ally Pally. 410 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,480 You can't be a dart player unless you got a nickname. 411 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:12,040 I wanted to be called Bobbie The Shark Beckett. 412 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:15,400 Why The Shark?Cos of, like, the teeth and the mouth. 413 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:18,640 I hadn't noticed the teeth. That, and... OK, yeah. 414 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:20,840 (LAUGHS) Course I had. 415 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:23,080 Course I had. Have you not watched his act? 416 00:18:23,120 --> 00:18:25,240 What about you, Rom? Have you thought about it at all? 417 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:27,920 Cos I've got only one fully functioning eye 418 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:30,120 I thought I would go for something like The Pirate, 419 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,160 do you know what I mean, come out with an eye patch. 420 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:34,360 I was thinking of Romesh Dead Eye Ranganathan. 421 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,200 That's great. It's more of a diagnosis than a nickname, I'd say. 422 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,880 No, Dead Eye, that means you're accurate.Alright, OK. 423 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:43,440 'Hopefully my new nickname will improve my accuracy 424 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:46,480 because practice was over and it was game on. 425 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:51,480 Romesh Dead Eye Ranganathan versus Bobby The Shark Beckett 426 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:53,720 in a leg of 501.' 427 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:55,000 Right, crack on. 428 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:59,360 'As we got going, my nickname was paying off 429 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,920 and Bobby The Shark looked like he'd lost his bite.' 430 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:05,080 Have you let the pressure of the game get to you here? 431 00:19:05,120 --> 00:19:07,520 No. Yeah, I have, actually. I feel like you have. 432 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:11,240 Technically, practicing, Rob was very very good. 433 00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:13,720 When it was game time, he lost the plot. 434 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:15,800 You've stopped hitting 20s. 435 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:18,960 He stopped throwing properly, his mind was absolutely puddled. 436 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:22,800 You're on 400 after 15 darts. 437 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:26,560 That is five visits. Five visits! 438 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:30,560 'Even though I was scoring faster than Rob...' 439 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:32,080 I've got so many ones. 440 00:19:32,120 --> 00:19:35,280 '..it was still taking forever to chip away at our scores.' 441 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:37,880 This is exasperating, ain't it. (LAUGHS) 442 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:40,400 'But 10 minutes and a lot of throws later...' 443 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:42,640 Look what he's left, look what he's left. 444 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:44,680 Two. (LAUGHS) 445 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:47,960 '..I'd lined up a familiar check out to win the game.' 446 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,680 Double one. 447 00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:51,600 Oh, that's a good one. 448 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:53,760 (LAUGHS) 449 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:55,920 'But every single time I tried...' 450 00:19:57,160 --> 00:19:58,400 Fucking ba. 451 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:02,240 OK off you go. 452 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:05,920 '..it was getting painful and even with our challenge at Ally Pally 453 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:09,120 so far off, I was starting to prang out.' 454 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:12,200 Imagine me attempting to get double one 455 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:15,280 15 to 20 times in front of thousands of people. 456 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:17,280 It's gonna be horrendous. 457 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,000 Why am I so shit at this? 458 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:20,560 We've got seven months to train, 459 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:23,840 I think it might take me seven months to get double one. 460 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:25,560 Shit. 461 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:26,720 Off you go. 462 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,320 'The game was taking forever.' 463 00:20:29,360 --> 00:20:32,800 Right, this leg has been going for just over 20 minutes. 464 00:20:32,840 --> 00:20:35,840 To put it into context, a match at the world championships, 465 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:38,320 someone can win in roughly 15 minutes. 466 00:20:38,360 --> 00:20:41,440 'Wayne was clearly worried, and, to make matters worse, 467 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:45,000 while I'd be failing to check out, Rob had caught up with me.' 468 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:47,240 You, my son, are on a finish. 469 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:50,160 Right. Do you know what, I'll just end it now, what have I got to get? 470 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:52,040 Double two. Double two. Perfect. 471 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:54,680 Just warming in. 472 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,480 (CHEERING) 473 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:00,640 Come on. Wallop. 474 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:02,000 The Shark wins. 475 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:11,040 You had all these attempts. 476 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:13,440 What are you doing, man? It's my shark fin. 477 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:20,040 I don't think I should do the shark fin if I win. 478 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:22,400 That's a thought you should have had two minutes ago. 479 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:24,480 I'd had a wobble at the start of our game, 480 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,800 but when it mattered most I'd pulled it out of the bag. 481 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:29,240 I'd ended the day on a high 482 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:33,320 but Rom was obviously still flapping about the Ally Pally crowd.' 483 00:21:33,360 --> 00:21:35,960 What is the atmosphere like? Will they be sort of understanding- 484 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:38,320 No, they will not be understanding of how bad you are. 485 00:21:38,360 --> 00:21:39,400 You need to get good. 486 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:43,040 So, going forward, Rom, you're lacking his ability 487 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:45,240 so you have to work, you've got to work hard.Yeah. 488 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:46,800 Early and follow through. Yeah. 489 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:49,360 And the darts will, instead of spraying everywhere, 490 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:50,920 they'll be like that. OK. 491 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:54,040 Rob, you just be you, pal. 492 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:56,720 You're absolutely, you are golden. Thank you. 493 00:21:56,760 --> 00:22:00,360 If you're both free on Thursday, Premier League Finals at the O2. 494 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,040 Fancy? Fancy? The big, the big one? 495 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:04,040 Yeah, this is amazing. On Thursday?Yeah. 496 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:05,400 I can't do it. Why not? 497 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:08,800 Cos I'm doing a tour show.Are you? Can you practice at your tour show? 498 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:11,680 Yeah, I'd love to, yeah. Literally, no matter where you are, 499 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:13,360 you can practice. OK. 500 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:15,280 Early, follow through. 501 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:16,800 Early, follow through. 502 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:20,400 Co, when you are not practising, he's gaining on you. 503 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:22,240 OK. Alright. 504 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:25,080 Alright. Good man. 505 00:22:25,120 --> 00:22:27,040 We've got seven months of darts practice 506 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:30,120 and Romesh, he will train and he will get better, 507 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:33,160 but hopefully he's so shit it will make no difference. 508 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:36,440 Cos I'm staring down the barrel of, 509 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:39,120 "I could do nothing now and still beat him." 510 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:40,160 Do I? 511 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:50,520 'This year, Rob and I are stepping up to the oche 512 00:22:50,560 --> 00:22:52,440 at the World Darts Championship. 513 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:56,120 And it was fair to say practice had been a disaster for me.' 514 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:58,000 Shit. Ah. 515 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:00,320 'But with plenty of time to sharpen my skills, 516 00:23:00,360 --> 00:23:03,160 our coach Wayne Mardle had set us our homework.' 517 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:04,960 Rom, you've got to work hard. Yeah. 518 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,480 Early and follow through. Rob, you are golden. 519 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:09,160 Thank you. 520 00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:12,560 'Two days after our pub training session 521 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:16,080 I'd come to the O2 for the Premier League Darts Finals, 522 00:23:16,120 --> 00:23:19,080 and I was under strict instructions from Wayne.' 523 00:23:19,120 --> 00:23:21,920 He went, "You are golden, no need to train, 524 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:24,320 go to the darts and just be you." 525 00:23:24,360 --> 00:23:26,280 Which I think's bad advice, 526 00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:28,640 cos if I go to the darts and just be me, 527 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:30,960 I'll probably have 15 pints, eat chicken by a bin 528 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:32,160 and Lou will leave me. 529 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:35,280 'The Premier League Darts is a 16-week showdown 530 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:37,400 where the best players in the world battle it out 531 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:41,080 for the championship title, and tonight was the final. 532 00:23:41,120 --> 00:23:43,760 I'd arrived early so our mate Wayne can fill me in 533 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,520 on what to expect from a huge night of darts.' 534 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:49,920 How you doing, Rob? Hello, mate. Good to see ya. 535 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:51,320 All good? I'm buzzing. 536 00:23:51,360 --> 00:23:53,680 Right, you've never been to the darts before.Never. 537 00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:57,000 This is the biggest final that we've ever had in terms of audience. 538 00:23:57,040 --> 00:23:59,040 Really? Capacity, if you like. 539 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:00,800 'The arena was massive 540 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:03,560 and with a record crowd of 14,000 expected, 541 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,600 I couldn't help but think about what it would be like playing darts 542 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:09,480 in front of thousands at Ally Pally come December.' 543 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:13,520 When you play Rom at the world championships...Yeah. 544 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:15,800 ..get the crowd on your side, make them love you 545 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:18,560 and then, by the end of it, if every time Rom's throwing 546 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:22,720 and he's getting booed, you will be laughing, he will be hating it 547 00:24:22,760 --> 00:24:25,400 and you've got the one up, and you're better than him anyway. 548 00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:26,800 And then shark it. 549 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:28,720 I don't like- You don't like the shark. 550 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:31,600 I think it's pathetic. I remember that as soon as I did it. 551 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:32,640 Leave that. Sorry. 552 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:35,200 'Talking to Wayne had got me well excited for the main event. 553 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:37,600 It was gonna go off and Rom was missing it.' 554 00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:40,840 He's got to do his day job but it's difficult for him cos he has 17... 555 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:41,880 Do you know what I mean? 556 00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:44,280 If he's not in Glasgow quizzing people on Weakest Link 557 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:47,400 he's in Central Africa on a journey of self discovery. 558 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:49,960 Have a day off, mate, get down the darts. 559 00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:59,640 'Tour show or no tour show, I was determined to stick it 560 00:24:59,680 --> 00:25:03,720 to Rob at Ally Pally so I'd come to Eastbourne prepared.' 561 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:05,120 I've got this. 562 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:08,280 You have to carry it with you all the time, 563 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:11,920 become spiritually at one with it, and apologies to Eastbourne, 564 00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:14,320 if this show's bad it's because I'm focusing on this. 565 00:25:14,360 --> 00:25:17,040 'My show wasn't gonna start for a couple of hours 566 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:21,000 so I had plenty of time to set up in my dressing room and practice.' 567 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:24,360 You have to check out on a double and I just couldn't get double one 568 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:27,280 so this is what I'm trying to go for every time. 569 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:30,280 Oh, that was shit. 570 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:34,400 Crap. 571 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:37,960 Shite. 572 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:39,040 'It was a bad start, 573 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:41,880 so I needed to go back to the basics that Wayne had taught me.' 574 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:45,200 There's certain bits of what I said I think would help to channel those. 575 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:46,480 For example, he did say 576 00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:49,120 it was all about rhythm, routine, repetition, 577 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:52,080 early release, leave it there... 578 00:25:52,120 --> 00:25:54,720 but he did also say that I had nothing about me, darts-wise. 579 00:25:54,760 --> 00:25:57,560 It's all about rhythm, 580 00:25:57,600 --> 00:25:59,440 routine, 581 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:01,720 and Ranganathan. 582 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:03,360 Didn't get any of those in. 583 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:06,760 'People were arriving at the O2 584 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:09,120 and soon the arena would start filling up. 585 00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:12,360 But before the doors opened, Wayne had a surprise for me.' 586 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:14,440 I can't believe we're getting to practice 587 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:17,240 on Premier League Darts Final dartboard. 588 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:19,200 I'm not actually sure- Are we allowed to do this? 589 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:20,640 I don't think we are. OK, well... 590 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:22,920 No. If someone comes... I'll just be quick. 591 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:24,960 ..we'll run. Let's give it a go. 592 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:27,920 Go on, have a throw. That's it. Got to leave it there, ain't I? 593 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:29,840 That's it. That's it. 594 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:33,640 You're so gonna beat Rom. 595 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:38,160 I've played on the final dartboard before the players got to practice. 596 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:41,120 Wouldn't have that in the Champions League Final, would ya? 597 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:43,640 "What's that?" "Rob Beckett's doing some keepie uppies." 598 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:45,280 Jude Bellingham's trying to come out, 599 00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:47,960 "Hold off, Jude, trying to do the Baggio 7 here." 600 00:26:50,160 --> 00:26:52,640 Look at that dart, did you see that? That was a nice one. 601 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:54,880 Did you feel how good it was? It felt good coming out. 602 00:26:54,920 --> 00:26:56,000 That's what I mean. 603 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:58,800 Oh, my word.Don't care what anyone says, they're good. 604 00:26:58,840 --> 00:27:00,040 That's good darts. 605 00:27:01,240 --> 00:27:04,480 'Back in Eastbourne, I still hadn't hit a double one, 606 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:06,320 but with the audience taking their seats 607 00:27:06,360 --> 00:27:08,680 I needed to get ready for the show.' 608 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:10,800 As a result of the training in the dressing room, 609 00:27:10,840 --> 00:27:12,760 not only do I feel worse about darts 610 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:14,920 but I feel worse about my show tonight. 611 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:17,000 Because when you're doing a stand up show 612 00:27:17,040 --> 00:27:19,320 you're supposed to imbue yourself with confidence. 613 00:27:19,360 --> 00:27:21,480 Now I feel rock bottom. 614 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:24,280 'Even though I was about to step on stage, 615 00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:26,560 I needed to keep my darts practice going 616 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:30,520 and luckily Wayne's wise words were still fresh in my mind.' 617 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,440 Literally, no matter where you are, you can practice. 618 00:27:33,480 --> 00:27:35,840 OK. Early, follow through. 619 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:37,160 Early, follow through. 620 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:39,480 (CHEERING) (APPLAUSE) 621 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:44,440 'Things were looking up, I was stepping on stage with a plan 622 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:46,760 and the crowd were buzzing to see me.' 623 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:53,480 Hello Eastbourne. 624 00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:54,840 'But little did they know, 625 00:27:54,880 --> 00:27:57,840 nothing was going to stand in the way of my darts practice.' 626 00:27:57,880 --> 00:28:01,520 Please give it up for Martin Too Smooth, what a guy. 627 00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:03,640 'With a couple of hours to perform my gig...' 628 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:06,240 So good to be here, man, boom. 629 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:10,640 '..I had loads of time to sneak in some cheeky practice throws whenever I could.' 630 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:12,720 Trying to get your money's worth, do you know what I mean? 631 00:28:12,760 --> 00:28:15,720 'But it turns out landing a joke was a lot easier for me 632 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:18,120 than landing a double one.' 633 00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:19,400 Boom. 634 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:26,680 'Back at the O2, the moment me and 14,000 darts fans 635 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:29,200 had been waiting for was finally here. 636 00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:33,880 Luke Littler was about to walk on for the Premier League Darts Final.' 637 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:39,920 ANNOUNCER: Luke The Nuke Littler. 638 00:28:39,960 --> 00:28:42,080 639 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:50,280 'Earlier in the evening, 640 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:53,520 Luke Littler and Luke Humphries had won their semi finals, 641 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:55,520 setting up a mouthwatering rematch 642 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:58,720 of last year's world championship final. 643 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:00,240 Humphries took the win back then 644 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,680 so this was Littler's big chance for revenge. 645 00:29:03,960 --> 00:29:07,680 It was first to 11 legs and both players got off to a flyer.' 646 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:11,240 WAYNE: Double 18. 647 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:12,320 What a shot. 648 00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:14,280 What a shot. 649 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:16,680 Love darts, love darts. 650 00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:18,640 'The standard was insane.' 651 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:20,240 Game shot... 652 00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:22,680 It's like me and Romesh have been playing a different sport. 653 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:26,880 'And they quickly raced to five legs apiece going in to the 11.' 654 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:30,720 180. 655 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:33,920 'Then something special started to happen.' 656 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:40,080 180. 657 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:42,880 Oh, come on. 658 00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:48,040 'Back-to-back 180s had them both on track 659 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:51,640 for the ultimate feat in darts, a nine dart finish. 660 00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:56,320 Humphries blinked first but Littler was still on for it. 661 00:29:58,640 --> 00:29:59,680 Can he? 662 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:01,000 Yes! 663 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:02,440 Can he? 664 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:03,640 Yes! 665 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:05,320 Can he? 666 00:30:05,360 --> 00:30:08,080 Yes! (CHEERING) 667 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:12,760 'Unbelievably, he pulled it off and got a leg up in the final.' 668 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:14,680 Come on! 669 00:30:14,720 --> 00:30:16,480 Yes, Luke! 670 00:30:16,520 --> 00:30:20,160 Oh, no! I'm covered in beer. 671 00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:21,200 Yes! 672 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:26,200 There is nothing that this kid, this phenom can not do. 673 00:30:26,240 --> 00:30:27,560 Whooo. 674 00:30:27,600 --> 00:30:28,800 Fuck you, Romesh. 675 00:30:28,840 --> 00:30:30,680 Fuck you, Romesh. 676 00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:31,920 Come on! 677 00:30:38,360 --> 00:30:39,960 'I was wrapping up my show...' 678 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:43,080 Eastbourne, thank you so much, goodnight. 679 00:30:43,120 --> 00:30:45,840 "..and it sounded like it had gone down well with the crowd, 680 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:47,760 so I had a plan.' 681 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:50,400 One of the things that Wayne said is that when we do our challenge, 682 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:52,240 the crowd are gonna be pretty hostile, 683 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:57,360 I want to simulate that by getting the crowd to be hostile to me 684 00:30:57,400 --> 00:30:58,600 in a safe space, 685 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:01,440 so for my encore I'm gonna bring a dart board out 686 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:04,320 and I'm going to try and get the double one check out. 687 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:10,280 I'm gonna tell you now that there were stages to this plan. 688 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:13,000 Stage one is first of all get double one in your dressing room 689 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:14,920 when there is no pressure. That hasn't happened. 690 00:31:14,960 --> 00:31:17,960 So what I need you to do is, as I step up to try 691 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:22,040 and get this double one, I need to just give me a lot of abuse, right? 692 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:25,000 OK, whoa, whoa, whoa. 693 00:31:25,040 --> 00:31:26,320 Whoa, OK. 694 00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:29,160 What I'm hoping is there's some sort of miracle 695 00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:32,280 and that the pressure of people shouting "I hate you 696 00:31:32,320 --> 00:31:35,080 and I hope you die tonight" suddenly focus, like, 697 00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:37,200 this eye straightens and I'm like a laser beam, 698 00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:39,800 early release, leave it there. 699 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:41,120 Three two one, go. 700 00:31:41,160 --> 00:31:43,320 (CROWD BOOING) 701 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:56,040 Shut up, shut up. 702 00:31:56,080 --> 00:31:57,640 (LAUGHS) 703 00:31:57,680 --> 00:31:59,840 This guy just called me a fucking (BLEEP). 704 00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:01,600 (AUDIENCE LAUGHS) 705 00:32:01,640 --> 00:32:03,560 (APPLAUSE) 706 00:32:12,120 --> 00:32:15,520 'Last throw of the day in front of 1600 fans, 707 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:19,200 I couldn't let them down, it was time for Dead Eye.' 708 00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:22,840 (CHEERING) (APPLAUSE) 709 00:32:24,800 --> 00:32:27,240 'Completely missing the board with my last dart 710 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:29,400 was a humiliating end to an horrific day 711 00:32:29,440 --> 00:32:30,720 of darts practice.' 712 00:32:35,240 --> 00:32:38,720 'At the O2, we were at the business end of the final.' 713 00:32:38,760 --> 00:32:41,080 Luke, you're required 40. 714 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:46,080 'Luke had taken three leg lead.' 715 00:32:46,120 --> 00:32:48,440 The roof is about to come off. 716 00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:51,440 'Now he was just a few throws away 717 00:32:51,480 --> 00:32:54,840 from being crowned Premier League Darts Champion, 718 00:32:54,880 --> 00:32:56,520 the pressure was massive.' 719 00:32:56,560 --> 00:32:58,640 138. 720 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:00,360 Luke, you require 81. 721 00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:05,160 It has to go. 722 00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:07,760 41. 723 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:08,880 Come on, Luke. 724 00:33:08,920 --> 00:33:10,640 Come on, Luke. 725 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:14,280 To win it. 726 00:33:14,320 --> 00:33:16,480 Luke, you're required 40. 727 00:33:17,560 --> 00:33:18,560 Tops. 728 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:21,400 He has done it. 729 00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:25,040 And the 2024 730 00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:29,200 Premier League Darts Champion... 731 00:33:29,240 --> 00:33:32,400 (CHEERING DROWNS ANNOUNCER'S SPEECH) 732 00:33:32,440 --> 00:33:36,000 'Luke had done it, he'd won his first major trophy 733 00:33:36,040 --> 00:33:38,080 and the whole place was buzzing.' 734 00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:41,200 That was, and excuse my French, fucking unreal. 735 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:43,360 Sporting moment of the year, nine darter, 736 00:33:43,400 --> 00:33:47,400 17-year-old won the Premier League darts in his debut season. 737 00:33:47,440 --> 00:33:49,160 And I was there in the flesh, 738 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:53,280 I just feel pumped now, I feel like I've got to get training, focus, 739 00:33:53,320 --> 00:33:55,480 cos before we've had little competitions 740 00:33:55,520 --> 00:33:58,960 where it's been a bit close, I'm gonna annihilate him. 741 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:01,760 What, who's to say I can't get a nine darter? 742 00:34:04,639 --> 00:34:07,520 'Nine months ago we kicked off our journey to go 743 00:34:07,560 --> 00:34:11,000 head-to-head at the World Darts Championships at Ally Pally. 744 00:34:11,920 --> 00:34:13,679 It's been a bumpy road.' 745 00:34:13,719 --> 00:34:16,120 Have you let the pressure of the game get to you here? 746 00:34:16,159 --> 00:34:17,639 'Particularly for me. 747 00:34:18,600 --> 00:34:21,960 But this is the longest we've ever had to prepare for a challenge.' 748 00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:24,040 So this is all about rhythm, 749 00:34:24,080 --> 00:34:25,960 routine, 750 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:27,880 and Ranganathan. 751 00:34:27,920 --> 00:34:30,000 'So with Wayne Mardle in our corner...' 752 00:34:30,040 --> 00:34:31,280 Leave it there. 753 00:34:31,320 --> 00:34:34,239 Yes, yes.'..and the backing of wonderkid Luke Littler...' 754 00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:35,920 "Don't know him!" Respect that. 755 00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:39,440 '..our route to success was simple.' 756 00:34:39,480 --> 00:34:42,400 What advice would you give us? Practice. 757 00:34:47,440 --> 00:34:51,200 'It was the day of our head-to-head and we'd arrived at Ally Pally early 758 00:34:51,240 --> 00:34:53,560 to check in on each other's progress.' 759 00:34:53,600 --> 00:34:54,600 OK. 760 00:34:55,840 --> 00:34:58,080 So this is it. This is it. 761 00:34:58,120 --> 00:34:59,280 Very exciting. 762 00:34:59,320 --> 00:35:01,080 Stinks of beer, don't it? Yeah. 763 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:03,360 How are you feeling about 764 00:35:03,400 --> 00:35:07,280 this challenge? Like, practice-wise, where are you? 765 00:35:07,320 --> 00:35:09,720 Well, they gave us a dart board to practice on 766 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:12,000 and I put it in my garage, but my car's parked there, 767 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:15,400 and Wayne said, like, "Do nothing, just be you." 768 00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:17,880 Yeah. And me is not practicing. 769 00:35:17,920 --> 00:35:19,920 Weird strategy, going into a challenge like this 770 00:35:19,960 --> 00:35:21,960 having done no practice. How much have you done? 771 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:24,120 I don't know where my dart board is. Cool, OK. 772 00:35:24,160 --> 00:35:26,400 So I'm one step ahead of you. Yeah, yeah. 773 00:35:26,440 --> 00:35:28,560 It could be behind the car. Yeah. 774 00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:32,000 The truth is, I did do some practice at Eastbourne 775 00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:35,960 and afterwards I felt much much worse about my darts 776 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:38,240 so the strategy I've taken is, 777 00:35:38,280 --> 00:35:40,840 I feel like I'm the sort of darts player 778 00:35:40,880 --> 00:35:43,240 who gets worse the more exposure he has to darts. 779 00:35:43,280 --> 00:35:44,360 Yep. 780 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:47,520 The one thing I was hoping for was banquet style seating 781 00:35:47,560 --> 00:35:50,240 and they've done that, so I do fancy my chances in that regard. 782 00:35:50,280 --> 00:35:52,840 Quick medieval joust. Yeah. And, look, I'm not saying that 783 00:35:52,880 --> 00:35:54,920 I don't think I'm gonna do well, but I do want to take 784 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:57,400 this opportunity to say congratulations on a great victory. 785 00:35:57,440 --> 00:35:59,640 Thank you very much, cheers. 786 00:35:59,680 --> 00:36:00,840 We are in a situation 787 00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:03,120 where I've had a different strategy this time 788 00:36:03,160 --> 00:36:06,040 because essentially I've been a keen-o wanker 789 00:36:06,080 --> 00:36:08,520 for every series of Rob and Rom. 790 00:36:08,560 --> 00:36:11,440 I've bought the stuff, I've done rehearsals, 791 00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:15,640 for Crufts I did three, four extra sessions of training. 792 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:18,680 The only thing I have put some thought into 793 00:36:18,720 --> 00:36:21,800 is my walk-on, and I want to get the crowd behind me, 794 00:36:21,840 --> 00:36:24,400 so I've chosen the song Seven Nation Army 795 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:27,280 cos it actually goes 796 00:36:27,320 --> 00:36:29,920 That's not how the actual song goes, that would have flopped. 797 00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:33,440 So I'm hoping as the crowd see Romesh Dead Eye Ranganathan 798 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:37,840 come out, that chant will lift the rafters of Alexandra Palace 799 00:36:37,880 --> 00:36:42,120 and they'll carry me on to the stage and then I'll fuck it completely. 800 00:36:43,440 --> 00:36:46,320 'First things first, the PDC sent us backstage 801 00:36:46,360 --> 00:36:48,320 to meet ref, Kirk Beavins.' 802 00:36:48,360 --> 00:36:50,280 Oh, hello sir. How are you? Hiya. 803 00:36:50,320 --> 00:36:51,840 Do you take bungs? (LAUGHS) 804 00:36:51,880 --> 00:36:55,080 'Kirk was here to do a bit of world championship housekeeping. 805 00:36:55,120 --> 00:36:57,600 We were going to the closest to the board to determine 806 00:36:57,640 --> 00:36:59,840 who would throw first on the night.' 807 00:36:59,880 --> 00:37:02,360 OK, here we go. OK, to go first, Rom. 808 00:37:02,400 --> 00:37:04,640 Shit. Yeah, it's alright.It's alright. 809 00:37:04,680 --> 00:37:06,040 OK go on, good luck, mate. 810 00:37:06,080 --> 00:37:08,560 Kirk, do we want to go to go first? What's the advantage? 811 00:37:08,600 --> 00:37:10,160 I mean, pro players like going first 812 00:37:10,200 --> 00:37:13,040 but if you're gonna take a 100 darts to win, it probably doesn't matter. 813 00:37:13,080 --> 00:37:14,440 Oh! He's coming firing. 814 00:37:14,480 --> 00:37:17,400 This guy's throwing shade as well as refereeing. 815 00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:20,400 Oh, good effort, yeah. 816 00:37:20,440 --> 00:37:22,120 That is close. 817 00:37:22,160 --> 00:37:23,720 That is close but Rob has just won it. 818 00:37:23,760 --> 00:37:25,280 Oh, gutted. Just won it. 819 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:27,640 'Losing closest to the bull wasn't ideal 820 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:29,800 but Kirk had some more worrying news.' 821 00:37:29,840 --> 00:37:31,760 So we're starting tonight at 6:30. Yep. 822 00:37:31,800 --> 00:37:34,640 You've got 25 minutes to complete it.Oh. 823 00:37:34,680 --> 00:37:36,200 How long's it normally take the pros? 824 00:37:36,240 --> 00:37:38,720 Two and a half minutes. Two and a half minutes? 825 00:37:38,760 --> 00:37:42,240 Yeah. Watching you guys throw, we might need full 25.OK. 826 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:49,640 'The final countdown to our head-to-head was on. 827 00:37:52,080 --> 00:37:53,680 We were top of tonight's action 828 00:37:53,720 --> 00:37:56,560 and, as darts fans started to fill out Ally Pally 829 00:37:56,600 --> 00:37:58,760 expecting high class arrows, 830 00:37:58,800 --> 00:38:01,360 they had no idea their night would be kicking off 831 00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:04,880 with Dead Eye versus The Shark. 832 00:38:09,000 --> 00:38:10,920 We'd been summonsed side of stage 833 00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:14,800 to get ready for our match.' 834 00:38:16,720 --> 00:38:19,280 (CHEERING) 835 00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:29,160 Ladies and gentlemen, 836 00:38:29,200 --> 00:38:32,240 it's time for a special one-on-one match. 837 00:38:32,280 --> 00:38:35,960 Making his world championship debut, 838 00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:38,360 they call him the Dead Eye, 839 00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:41,600 all the way from Crawley, England. 840 00:38:41,640 --> 00:38:43,360 Would you please welcome 841 00:38:43,400 --> 00:38:48,920 Romesh Dead Eye Ranganathan. 842 00:38:48,960 --> 00:38:51,280 Seven Nation Army 843 00:38:53,320 --> 00:38:56,080 'The crowd were loving my walk-on 844 00:38:58,040 --> 00:38:59,720 so I was gonna give them a show.' 845 00:39:07,520 --> 00:39:10,160 Ladies and gentlemen, 846 00:39:10,200 --> 00:39:12,760 making his way to the oche, 847 00:39:12,800 --> 00:39:16,400 would you please welcome Bromley's very own 848 00:39:16,440 --> 00:39:19,920 Bobby The Shark... Come on. 849 00:39:19,960 --> 00:39:23,360 ..Beckett. 850 00:39:23,400 --> 00:39:26,840 851 00:39:30,080 --> 00:39:31,680 'From the crowd's reaction, 852 00:39:31,720 --> 00:39:35,040 turns out Baby Shark wasn't such a bright idea.' 853 00:39:39,080 --> 00:39:40,600 This is awful. 854 00:39:40,640 --> 00:39:42,920 They're booing me, it's horrible. 855 00:39:45,280 --> 00:39:49,040 Well, nine months of toil and sacrifice, 856 00:39:50,200 --> 00:39:53,120 nine months of dedication. 857 00:39:54,600 --> 00:39:57,480 And it's Beckett to get us underway. Good luck, mate. Good luck. 858 00:39:57,520 --> 00:40:00,480 One leg of darts 859 00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:03,840 to decide who is the best, 860 00:40:03,880 --> 00:40:05,360 the latest challenge, 861 00:40:05,400 --> 00:40:09,560 it could be arguably the most difficult challenge. 862 00:40:09,600 --> 00:40:12,720 Beckett's the big favourite without a shadow of a doubt, 863 00:40:12,760 --> 00:40:16,120 it would be a massive embarrassment to Beckett if he lost this. 864 00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:18,720 21. Can you walk this way, please? 865 00:40:18,760 --> 00:40:20,440 Romesh, this way. 866 00:40:20,480 --> 00:40:22,920 That way. Yeah. 867 00:40:22,960 --> 00:40:24,320 Good luck, you fucking prick. 868 00:40:24,360 --> 00:40:26,600 A little bit of gamesmanship early in the leg here. 869 00:40:31,840 --> 00:40:33,680 I don't know how to say this quietly. 870 00:40:33,720 --> 00:40:35,720 Two! 871 00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:39,200 'As expected, we were bad 872 00:40:39,240 --> 00:40:41,880 and the crowd were already all over me. 873 00:40:45,920 --> 00:40:48,560 Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage had got in my head 874 00:40:48,600 --> 00:40:50,360 and I was struggling big time.' 875 00:40:53,160 --> 00:40:54,600 Two! 876 00:40:55,640 --> 00:40:58,400 It's a lonely place up on that big stage. 877 00:41:01,760 --> 00:41:03,560 And we are crawling in this leg. 878 00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:05,720 Not yet over the halfway line, 879 00:41:05,760 --> 00:41:09,880 both players have had 21 darts, the nerves are telling. 880 00:41:10,760 --> 00:41:12,560 'It was slow going, 881 00:41:12,600 --> 00:41:15,440 and while Rob was dealing with the WWE Hall of Famers, 882 00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:18,160 I was getting it from a bunch of frogs.' 883 00:41:18,200 --> 00:41:20,160 And they're getting very vocal. 884 00:41:21,800 --> 00:41:23,760 'It was Eastbourne all over again.' 885 00:41:23,800 --> 00:41:25,760 Can't hear ya, can't hear ya. 886 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:27,680 Taking his time. 887 00:41:27,720 --> 00:41:28,960 They're still at it. 888 00:41:29,000 --> 00:41:31,880 'But while Rob was crumbling under the pressure, 889 00:41:31,920 --> 00:41:33,800 I was giving as good as I got.' 890 00:41:37,680 --> 00:41:39,000 36. 891 00:41:40,360 --> 00:41:43,400 '15 minutes in to our match, 892 00:41:43,440 --> 00:41:45,120 I was dominating.' 893 00:41:45,160 --> 00:41:48,640 Unbelievably, Ranganathan is in front. 894 00:41:48,680 --> 00:41:52,840 'A few throws later, I'd fought my way to a realistic check out.' 895 00:41:52,880 --> 00:41:56,920 Advantage to the man they call Dead Eye. 896 00:41:56,960 --> 00:41:58,720 What a win this would be, 897 00:41:58,760 --> 00:42:02,400 it will be the highlight of his entire career, I'm sure. 898 00:42:02,440 --> 00:42:04,920 'All I needed was a double 14.' 899 00:42:04,960 --> 00:42:06,280 We'll just say that, 900 00:42:06,320 --> 00:42:08,600 that bounced off the wire of double 14. 901 00:42:08,640 --> 00:42:11,120 He's had a match dart, 902 00:42:11,160 --> 00:42:12,760 will he get any more? 903 00:42:12,800 --> 00:42:16,360 'Rom was one dart away and I had a mountain to climb.' 904 00:42:20,120 --> 00:42:21,280 10. 905 00:42:21,320 --> 00:42:23,960 Beckett is a total mess at the moment. 906 00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:27,760 'I needed to dig deep and channel my inner Waye.' 907 00:42:27,800 --> 00:42:29,160 That's it, that's it. 908 00:42:29,200 --> 00:42:31,960 Don't care what anyone says. That, they're good. 909 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:34,240 What is there not to like about that? 910 00:42:34,280 --> 00:42:35,400 You have cracked it, pal. 911 00:42:35,440 --> 00:42:37,480 Rob, you just be you, pal. 912 00:42:37,520 --> 00:42:39,520 (ECHOING) You are golden. 913 00:42:39,560 --> 00:42:42,000 'I needed a big score to get back into this game.' 914 00:42:46,160 --> 00:42:47,920 Treble for Beckett 915 00:42:47,960 --> 00:42:50,160 would have meant trouble for Ranganathan. 916 00:42:51,600 --> 00:42:52,840 60. 917 00:42:52,880 --> 00:42:56,040 Come on. Come on. 918 00:42:56,080 --> 00:42:57,800 Romesh, you require six. 919 00:42:59,280 --> 00:43:01,800 Bobby The Shark was back in the hunt. 920 00:43:03,640 --> 00:43:05,240 Wow. 921 00:43:05,280 --> 00:43:06,440 Now the pressure's on. 922 00:43:06,480 --> 00:43:09,880 Look at that! Wow, what a celebration. 923 00:43:09,920 --> 00:43:12,560 'And with Rom missing his next check out dart, 924 00:43:12,600 --> 00:43:15,800 he left the door wide open for me to get right back in it.' 925 00:43:16,960 --> 00:43:19,800 And there's a bit of pressure, he's on a double now. 926 00:43:19,840 --> 00:43:23,280 'Finally we were both on single dart check outs. 927 00:43:23,320 --> 00:43:26,560 But it had taken us over 20 minutes to get here.' 928 00:43:26,600 --> 00:43:28,920 We're running out of time here. Yeah. 929 00:43:28,960 --> 00:43:30,480 You are. 930 00:43:30,520 --> 00:43:33,720 'The next match was due to start soon, so we needed to hit 931 00:43:33,760 --> 00:43:37,880 a check out fast cos the PDC officials were getting twitchy.' 932 00:43:38,760 --> 00:43:42,720 All comes down to this. Double three, bottom of the board. 933 00:43:44,520 --> 00:43:46,000 One double one. You've got it. 934 00:43:46,040 --> 00:43:47,920 Hang on, get back. He still needs a one. 935 00:43:47,960 --> 00:43:50,040 One more dart in hand, Romesh. 936 00:43:50,080 --> 00:43:52,240 No score. Double 12. 937 00:43:52,280 --> 00:43:55,520 Well, he's been totally outplayed for the most part 938 00:43:55,560 --> 00:43:59,480 but Rob Beckett's here for history. 939 00:44:01,240 --> 00:44:02,920 Double six. 940 00:44:03,960 --> 00:44:06,400 Oh, and how close was that? Ugh. 941 00:44:07,720 --> 00:44:10,440 'I was literally millimetres away from the win 942 00:44:10,480 --> 00:44:13,040 but the PDC had seen enough.' 943 00:44:13,080 --> 00:44:14,760 Right, so we've run out of time, 944 00:44:14,800 --> 00:44:17,200 one dart nearest the bullseye each of you. 945 00:44:18,800 --> 00:44:21,760 'Nine months had come down to this moment, 946 00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:26,240 was it going to be Dead Eye or Bobby The Shark to take the victory?' 947 00:44:26,280 --> 00:44:29,560 For the title, what can Romesh come up with? 948 00:44:29,600 --> 00:44:30,680 Just outside. 949 00:44:32,600 --> 00:44:34,680 Beckett. 950 00:44:34,720 --> 00:44:36,000 Is that it? 951 00:44:36,040 --> 00:44:37,480 Game shot. It is! 952 00:44:37,520 --> 00:44:39,280 And it's Bobby Beckett. 953 00:44:39,320 --> 00:44:42,760 Beckett takes the spoils. 954 00:44:42,800 --> 00:44:45,200 Unbelievable drama, 955 00:44:45,240 --> 00:44:48,800 Ranganathan gave it absolutely everything, 956 00:44:48,840 --> 00:44:53,880 he was way ahead in the leg but he blew it, he buckled it. 957 00:44:53,920 --> 00:44:55,880 Look at that emotion. 958 00:44:55,920 --> 00:44:58,560 Beckett wins. 959 00:45:09,080 --> 00:45:10,360 That was horrible. Horrible. 960 00:45:10,400 --> 00:45:11,840 And we were shit. Yeah. 961 00:45:11,880 --> 00:45:15,000 Do you know what, the worst of it all, they were right, we WERE shit. 962 00:45:15,040 --> 00:45:17,320 Those frogs. Yeah. 963 00:45:17,360 --> 00:45:19,520 Not French people. No.Men dressed as frogs. 964 00:45:19,560 --> 00:45:22,120 Yeah, but the French- A couple of French in there but... 965 00:45:22,160 --> 00:45:26,000 They had sort of made the effort to move to the front of the room 966 00:45:26,040 --> 00:45:28,360 to give us shit. Yeah, but what a sport. 967 00:45:28,400 --> 00:45:29,400 What a great sport. 968 00:45:29,440 --> 00:45:32,200 Great sport, great people, passionate, passionate fans. 969 00:45:32,240 --> 00:45:33,920 They've got an energy, they've got a vibe. 970 00:45:33,960 --> 00:45:35,640 Do you know what, going in the Ally Pally 971 00:45:35,680 --> 00:45:37,640 you can't find an atmosphere like that 972 00:45:37,680 --> 00:45:39,720 unless you're in a prison canteen. Absolutely. 973 00:45:39,760 --> 00:45:42,880 On the plus side, I am now just gonna go home. What about you? 974 00:45:42,920 --> 00:45:45,120 I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm going back in. 975 00:45:45,160 --> 00:45:47,080 Yeah, well, very jealous. Do you think I should change my top? 976 00:45:47,120 --> 00:45:48,960 No, I think you need to remind people. 977 00:45:49,000 --> 00:45:50,200 Do you know what I might do? 978 00:45:50,240 --> 00:45:52,400 I might walk straight in there, take my top off, 979 00:45:52,440 --> 00:45:53,920 find a frog, headbutt a frog. 980 00:45:53,960 --> 00:45:54,960 Merry Christmas. 981 00:45:55,000 --> 00:45:57,960 Merry Christmas, mate, have a good one.Happy New Year. 982 00:45:58,000 --> 00:46:00,320 You going then? Dead Eye don't need a coat. 983 00:46:03,080 --> 00:46:05,200 It's the saddest thing I've ever seen. 984 00:46:06,240 --> 00:46:07,800 (STIFLED LAUGHTER) 985 00:46:11,240 --> 00:46:14,680 Subtitles by Sky Access Services www.skyaccessibility.sky