Latest news with #WorldMatchplayDarts2025
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Emma Paton rocks bold sleeveless outfit as fans label Sky Sports Darts host ‘absolutely stunning and so sexy'
EMMA PATON has left fans stunned with a bold sleeveless outfit for the World Matchplay Darts. The Advertisement 9 Emma Paton wore a sleeveless outfit for the World Matchplay Darts finals Credit: SKy Sports 9 Fans were left stunned by the outfit Credit: Sky sports 9 She is a fan favourite at the darts Credit: Alamy 9 She often stuns in her bold outfits Credit: Instagram / @missemmapaton The clothing item was completed with a wide collar and matching shoes. The presenter is a fan favourite as she often And this one was no different as viewers went wild for her look on social media. Advertisement READ MORE ON EMMA PATON One posted: "WOW WOW WOW!!!!! A second wrote: "Emma Paton on the darts. Good lord!" A third commented: "Emma Paton back on the tele!" A fourth said: "Emma Paton you absolute princess, we are so back." Advertisement Most read in Darts Live Blog Another added: "I tell you what, that Emma Paton looks delightful." Back in May, Emma left fans hailing her sparkly Luke Littler shows off new look for World Matchplay Darts as fans are left divided 9 Emma is a regular presenter for Sky Sports Credit: Getty 9 She has built up a huge fan base on social media Credit: Instagram Advertisement 9 She has over 269k followers on Instagram Credit: PA World Matchplay Darts 2025 BLACKPOOL will be the home of darts for the next week as the World Matchplay returns! There has already been huge drama in round one of the tournament with SIX of the 16 players already out. A new champions is now also guaranteed after Luke Humphries crashed out in his tournament opener against Gian van Veen. There will be darts action every night this week ahead of the big final on Sunday. LIVE - Follow all the action from the World Matchplay 2025 INFO Full schedule and results Prize money LATEST NEWS Meanwhile, there was plenty of excitement at the oche in the day's action. Peter 'Snakebite' Wright was dumped out in round one by Jermaine Wattimena. This was despite him Advertisement He took on Ryan Searle in his match and romped to a dominant victory. It looked like the Nuke was on course for a whitewash as he won the first SIX legs at a canter. Searle did get on the board as he won the seventh leg, but there was no chance of a dramatic comeback. Advertisement Littler rattled off the required four legs from the next five to knock out to complete his victory. The Nuke averaged an incredible 108.92 across the 12 legs. 9 Luke Littler debuted his new shirt at the tournament Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 9 He romped to a 10-2 victory over Ryan Searle Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Emma Paton rocks bold sleeveless outfit as fans label Sky Sports Darts host ‘absolutely stunning and so sexy'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMA PATON has left fans stunned with a bold sleeveless outfit for the World Matchplay Darts. The Sky Sports presenter was on duty for the tournament in Blackpool. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Emma Paton wore a sleeveless outfit for the World Matchplay Darts finals Credit: SKy Sports 9 Fans were left stunned by the outfit Credit: Sky sports 9 She is a fan favourite at the darts Credit: Alamy 9 She often stuns in her bold outfits Credit: Instagram / @missemmapaton Emma, 30, wore a stunning white jumpsuit while on air for the broadcaster. The clothing item was completed with a wide collar and matching shoes. The presenter is a fan favourite as she often leaves fans in awe of her bold fashion choices. And this one was no different as viewers went wild for her look on social media. One posted: "WOW WOW WOW!!!!! Emma Paton looking absolutely stunning and so sexy in this white outfit!" A second wrote: "Emma Paton on the darts. Good lord!" A third commented: "Emma Paton back on the tele!" A fourth said: "Emma Paton you absolute princess, we are so back." Another added: "I tell you what, that Emma Paton looks delightful." Back in May, Emma left fans hailing her sparkly outfit at the Premier League Darts finals. Luke Littler shows off new look for World Matchplay Darts as fans are left divided 9 Emma is a regular presenter for Sky Sports Credit: Getty 9 She has built up a huge fan base on social media Credit: Instagram 9 She has over 269k followers on Instagram Credit: PA World Matchplay Darts 2025 BLACKPOOL will be the home of darts for the next week as the World Matchplay returns! There has already been huge drama in round one of the tournament with SIX of the 16 players already out. A new champions is now also guaranteed after Luke Humphries crashed out in his tournament opener against Gian van Veen. There will be darts action every night this week ahead of the big final on Sunday. LIVE - Follow all the action from the World Matchplay 2025 INFO Full schedule and results Prize money LATEST NEWS Peter Wright unveils incredible weight loss and new look Humphries furious with fans after shock defeat to Van Veen Menzies left with head in hands after he hits incredible 180 BUST Meanwhile, there was plenty of excitement at the oche in the day's action. Peter 'Snakebite' Wright was dumped out in round one by Jermaine Wattimena. This was despite him rocking a more reserved look compared to his usual bold self. Luke Littler also had a new look as he wore an updated version of his iconic purple and yellow shirt. He took on Ryan Searle in his match and romped to a dominant victory. It looked like the Nuke was on course for a whitewash as he won the first SIX legs at a canter. Searle did get on the board as he won the seventh leg, but there was no chance of a dramatic comeback. Littler rattled off the required four legs from the next five to knock out to complete his victory. The Nuke averaged an incredible 108.92 across the 12 legs. 9 Luke Littler debuted his new shirt at the tournament Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Luke Littler shows off new look for World Matchplay Darts as fans are left divided
LUKE LITTLER has left fans divided with a new look for the World Matchplay Darts. The Nuke takes on Ryan Searle in his round one clash in Blackpool. 2 Luke Littler has shown off his new look Credit: PDC 2 He had his previous shirt since last year Credit: PA The teenager has kept his traditional purple and yellow but with a new design. The new shirt features yellow paint strokes on the sleeves with a main purple body. However, the nuclear logos have been removed from the body, as has the yellow panelling under the sleeve. READ MORE ON LUKE LITTLER And fans have been left split with the Warrington thrower's new kit as they took to social media. One posted: "Definitely prefer the last one." A second wrote: "I don't see the difference." A third commented: "I can't decide if it's class or grim." Most read in Darts JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS A fourth said: "More yellow looks really nice." Another added: "I actually really like that." Darts legend Bobby George sends stark message to Luke Littler as he warns sensation he can 'go from hero to zero quick' Littler has recently admitted that The teenage prodigy has He has already won multiple titles and will be hoping to add to them at the World Matchplay Darts. Peter Wright has already been World Matchplay Darts 2025 BLACKPOOL will be the home of darts for the next week as the World Matchplay returns! There has already been huge drama in round one of the tournament with SIX of the 16 players already out. A new champions is now also guaranteed after Luke Humphries crashed out in his tournament opener against Gian van Veen. There will be darts action every night this week ahead of the big final on Sunday. LIVE - Follow all the action from the World Matchplay 2025 INFO Full schedule and results Prize money LATEST NEWS
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I won the World Matchplay 16 times - this is how I gained an edge over other players'
Phil Taylor will forever be synonymous with the World Matchplay, even discounting the fact that the iconic competition's trophy is named after him, and he's opened up about why he was prolific in Blackpool Few have hit the jackpot in the Las Vegas of the North as often as Phil 'The Power' Taylor. Darts' greatest thrower forged an inseparable love affair with Blackpool and the World Matchplay during his years presiding over the PDC, winning the competition an unfathomable 16 times. Taylor has often admitted that while the World Darts Championship may be the largest event on the darting calendar, the Matchplay is its darling, partly down to the time of year it is staged. Just two words were needed from the 16-time champion of the world to describe how he views the Matchplay: "My favourite." He continued: "One of the reasons why I love the Matchplay so much is that it was played in summer. The World Championships are in the middle of winter. And it's freezing. "You can't go out. You can't do anything. You've got your heating on. Whereas in Blackpool, the windows are wide open, and you can sit outside. You can sunbathe if you want! It was fantastic." Taylor first tasted Matchplay glory during its second ever running in 1995, and kept up the habit of making the Winter Gardens a happy hunting ground. Winning at any venue in any sport 16 times is no mean feat, and Taylor shed some slight insight into what made him so potent when it came time to defend or regain his title in July. "I was one for always pushing forward," added Taylor. "So, I always took a mattress topper with me, a single mattress topper, no matter where I went in the UK. I took my own pillows, because I've got good pillows. I took cooking equipment into my room sometimes. I didn't want to risk anything. World Matchplay Darts 2025 preview ON SALE NOW Warm up for the World Matchplay darts at the famous Winter Gardens with our 48-page preview publication, which is available to order now The height of summer, darts, Blackpool. It can only mean one thing - the World Matchplay at the famous Winter Gardens. You can get ready for one of the highlights of the darting year with our special preview publication. "I watched a program about bodybuilders, and they never ate out of restaurants when they were ready for a competition, just in case they got food poisoning. So, I thought, 'That's clever. They're right.' I'd go to the butcher and buy fresh meat and fresh eggs, things like that, and cook my own food. "I watched cyclists and saw what they did. A cyclist would take a mattress topper wherever they went and make their bed exactly how they would at home. I thought, 'That's bloody clever, that.' "Then, I'd go out and buy three or four pairs of the same shoes. So, I'd wear one pair on the Monday, because the soles would be fresh and then wear another pair on Tuesday, Wednesday, and then revert back to the first pair. Just little things like that might give you that one per cent extra." Despite the Winter Gardens gifting Taylor a great deal of memories that will last a lifetime, one particular victory at the iconic venue's oche stands out. "I think my favourite win there of all time has got to be the last one when I was retiring," he admitted. "Because that was, I think, the hardest rounds I've ever played." Before The Power stepped away from the PDC in early 2018, he made what was expected to be his final appearance at the Matchplay in July of 2017, and, aged 56, he didn't disappoint. "It was Gerwyn Price in the first round. Raymond van Barneveld, Michael Van Gerwen, Adrian Lewis and then the final was Peter Wright. It was a tough," added Taylor. The Power swept through the field eight years ago, and added one last notch to his Matchplay belt by destroying Wright 18-8 in the final, averaging a whopping 104. "I think the odds were about 40 or 50 to one to win the tournament. Then coming back and doing that, winning it. I won it quite easily, to be honest!" he quipped. "I was relaxed. I never felt under pressure there. Never once felt anything. The weather was fantastic. You'd just toddle down the venue in the afternoon, and then just have two or three hours' practice, then go on stage. It was lovely." In light of his affinity for the Matchplay, the competition's silverware was renamed the Phil Taylor Trophy after his PDC swansong in 2018, but physical accolades aren't really The Power's thing. When asked where he was when he found out the PDC would rename the Matchplay trophy after himself, Taylor lightheartedly replied: "I don't know actually. I'd probably have been at home! "It's lovely, though. Absolutely lovely," he continued, touching on having the accolade named after him. "They gave me the original Matchplay trophy, you know, which Target [the manufacturer who sponsors Taylor] have got. "Because I don't really have trophies or anything. My grandkids have got them, or my daughter's got them, or somebody's got them. But I haven't got any trophies. Barry Hearn always used to say to me, 'You can't eat trophies.' He'd say, 'Money's better in the bank. You can eat with that. You can buy food with that.'" In May, Taylor officially hung up his darts for good, stepping away from all forms of throwing. Looking back on his career, though he won all there was to win, he still feels he could have been triumphant more often. "I did all right [at the Matchplay]," he joked. "I did okay. Looking back now, I think I could have been better. You know, once you're retired, you can look back at your career and think, 'Do you know what? I wish I'd have tried that, I wish I'd have tried this.' "But, it's too late now, it's been and gone. But I always think I could have done better. Definitely [could have won more] World Championships. I probably could have done 20, I think. But we did okay. "I haven't even got a set of darts now. Or a dartboard. I've got a dartboard in the back room. But it's still in the box. I was so dedicated and everything. I've never missed darts once, though, honestly," he continued. "I couldn't perform like Phil Taylor could perform. So it broke my heart a little bit. My body had changed. "I mean, I'm 65 this year. It got harder and harder for me, and I couldn't perform. And people were paying money to come and see me, all these supporters and everything. It broke my heart not to perform like I can. And I thought, 'I can't do this anymore. This is not right.' If I do something, I have to do it properly. I'm a bit of a perfectionist. "So, I do other things. I enjoy my life now. I see my grandkids a lot more. And the best thing in the world is staying and sleeping in your own bed. Which I'd never been able to do for 30 years, and I love it!"
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Defending champion Luke Humphries stunned on first night of World Matchplay
Luke Humphries' defence of his World Matchplay title has ended on the opening night of the event as the champion was downed 10-8 by Gian van Veen. The game was tight throughout, but the world number one could not find his brilliant best consistently, finishing with an average of 95.69. The Dutchman was ahead on that front, 98.45, and crucially was more clinical on the outer ring, where Cool Hand struggled. Humphries will be very disappointed with checking out at just 29 per cent, while Van Veen was hitting four of every 10 shots at double. The 23-year-old is one of the most impressive rising stars of the oche, but is yet to have the regular deep runs in major tournaments to really put his stamp on the sport. That could change now, though, considering this victory as the biggest of his career so far. 'Of course I've done plenty in my career so far but at the moment this feels like the biggest win of my career,' he told Sky Sports. 'Finally I hit that winning double and I think this is the biggest win of my career.' Ever the classy operator, Humphries had nice words for the winner on stage after the game. Van Veen added: 'I'm so happy with this win, to beat such a phenomenal player like Luke. 'He even said to me after the game I hope you have a good run this tournament because you really deserve it. He's such a great champion, he's such a great guy. I'm over the moon.' Van Veen's first victory on the Winter Gardens stage sets up a clash with Danny Noppert in the last 16 after he thrashed Cameron Menzies 10-2 earlier on Saturday night. More Trending The Scot struggled on debut, at one point busting his score of 178 by chucking a 180, which was a moment he struggled to recover from. An average of 81.35 was a bit of a disaster, while Noppert was solid enough to pick up a comfortable win. The first match of the tournament saw James Wade turn in a stunning performance to hammer Joe Cullen 10-3. In his 20th consecutive year at the World Matchplay, the Machine averaged a brilliant 104.44 to show that he is once again a threat to lift the trophy, which he did in Blackpool in 2007. MORE: World Matchplay Darts 2025 schedule, time, TV channel and odds MORE: Gerwyn Price in confident Matchplay mood: 'I should be favourite' MORE: World Matchplay Darts draw sees legends collide in Blackpool
