Coral rate the top 10 darts walk-ons ahead of 2017 PDC World Darts Championship

Wayne Mardle: 8/10

Former fan favourite Mardle, also known as Hawaii 5.0.1 for his fondness of floral Hawaiian shirts, takes his walk-on cues from the famous 70s TV show and certainly does the defunct detective series justice.

The Dagenham-born dartsman-turned-pundit brings a little of the exotic to the oche as he dances to Hawaii Five-O’s feted theme tune in a rather garish garland. Definitely a tune for your dad to party to and a popular PDC stalwart.

Ted Hankey: 6/10

Here, former BDO World Championship winner Hankey lives up to his spooky nickname The Count, as he dons a Dracula-style costume and strides onto the stage in character, thirsty for… victory. Eerie.

John Michael: 9/10

We’ll be seeing this Athenian arrowsmith at the Ally Pally turn out first against Alan Norris, and his walk-on has certainly been a spectacle at the PDC World Championship before, so watch here as he comes out to the aptly-named song ‘Zorba the Greek’ by Nikos Ignatiadis.

Cypriot-born Deadly Rose, as he is nicknamed, provides the crowd with a unique dancing display, and it is certainly one of our favourites.

Raymond van Barneveld: 6/10

Darting hero Barney rocks his own excellent walk-on, with the crowd-pleasing and inspiring ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor the song to which Van Barneveld struts out to like a boxer bounding into the ring.

Though the Dutchman’s dance moves may be limited, this tune from the Rocky III soundtrack still goes down a treat, and usually ends up with Barney (40/1 to win the Worlds this time out) bowing respectfully to fans.

Peter Wright (and Devon Petersen): 10/10

For the ultimate darting dance-off, of course two of the sport’s most colourful characters would feature. Snakebite’s antics to ‘Don’t Stop the Party’, while decked out in outrageous outfits and hair-styles are an unmistakable part of the PDC circuit.

However, this walk-on is extra special, as both Wright (a 10/1 shout to lift the 2017 PDC World Championship) and Petersen show they are great sports before a scuffle, by challenging each other to a dance duel. Forget the darts!

Terry Jenkins: 6/10

Another walk-on familiar to darts fans is the low-key and understated but delightful nickname-inspired ‘dance’ from Jenkins. Dubbed ‘The Bull shuffle’, spectators should watch out and clear some space, as The Bull is ready to charge to ‘Wooly Bully’ by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs. Classic.

Dirk van Duijvenbode: 5/10

Another Dutch dartsman here with a passion for dance as well as arrows. Van Duijvenbode certainly looks pumped up as he treats the stage like a hardcore club; he’s just missing a DJ.

Steve Hine: 8/10

‘The Muffin Man’ may not have baked the buns he throws into the crowd himself, but it’s doubtful that well-fed fans mind when Hine pulls on his chef’s whites to ‘Bonkers’ by Dizzee Rascal and shares the goodies on his long stretch to the stage.

Points for being honest and health and safety aware by keeping the plastic wrappers on. Tasty.

Peter Manley: 7/10

There’s definitely something very Peter Kay, rather than Tony Christie, about this walk-on performance of ‘Amarillo’ by Manley. Though now retired, One Dart got everyone involved, and smiling, with his trademark march to the oche.

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