Russ Bray: Darts tournament is 'out of this world'

For nearly three decades, darts fans have delighted at his gravelly-toned and almost never-ending cry of "180".

Russ Bray, who worked as a road traffic officer with Essex Police before leaving the force for a life in sport, is often referred to as the "voice of darts" for his refereeing career.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme ahead of the World Darts Championship at London's Alexandra Palace, the now-retired "voice" said the game had become "a lot more professional".

Despite the "pub element" dropping out of the game, Bray said the party atmosphere at Ally Pally was "just out of this world".

Bray, who lives in Soham, Cambridgeshire, said images had "long gone" of darts players with a pint or cigarette in hand from the 1980s and 1990s.

"You used to see it in them days," said Bray, recalling seeing the late Eric Bristow – known as the "Crafty Cockney" – light up a cigarette for his rival Jocky Wilson.

By contrast, referring to the current world number four Luke Littler, Bray said: "The kid's 17, he's not allowed to drink anyway, and smoking you're not allowed to do inside in any case."

Bray said players like Luke Littler played a different game compared with the 1980s and 1990s

Bray said many more school-age people were getting into the sport via academies rather than the pub.

"Now these guys can't drink or anything so that pub element is dropping out of the game a lot," he said.

Bray welcomed seeing a more professional edge to the sport, saying this attracted more money and sponsorships.

"Who would've thought you'd be a millionaire playing a game of darts? That's how far the sport has come."

Bray said Ally Pally, the venue for the festive tournament since 2008, still promised to be the "biggest party in the world".

He said: "You've got 5,000 people dressed up in various types of costumes, you've got power rangers, you've got people dressed up as Jesus, you've just got everything there.

"It's such an exciting place to be, the noise and the buzz is just out of this world."

The 2025 PDC World Championship begins on Saturday and the tournament ends on Friday 3 January.