THE 2023 World Darts Championships got underway on Thursday and Peter Wright put on a show in more ways than one at Ally Pally.
The reigning champ dropped just one leg as he eased past Micky Mansell in their second round clash.
But it was Snakebite’s outrageous Grinch outfit that really him saw catch the attention.
This is something we’ve become accustomed to during his illustrious career with his iconic walk-on and colourful costumes making him one of a kind.
And SunSport has picked six of the best walk-ons seen at the famous event.
Peter Wright
Along with being one of the best players on the planet and a two-time world champion, Snakebite is known for his eye-catching outfits and crazy mowhawks.
But as well as his noticeable look, he has one of the most famous walk-ons in darts.
Wright comes out to Don’t Stop the Party by Pitbull and unlike most players, he makes the absolute most of his moment in the spotlight.
He often enters the stage and then dances from one side of the room to the other, engaging with the crowd before greeting his opponent.
Dirk van Duijvenbode
The Dutchman is rapidly making his up the PDC rankings and arrives at the Ally Pally as World No14.
But Van Duijvenbode has also grabbed the attention of darts fans with his hardcore choice of walk-on song.
He comes out to Just Like You by Radical Redemption, which is not the type of type of music you would normally associate with a darts arena.
This first happened in 2020 with Van Duijvenbode strangely coming out holding an aubergine before handing it to one of the walk-on girls.
Nevertheless, the fans seem to love his unique style.
Raymond van Barneveld
One of the most popular players ever to pick up an arrow, it isn’t just the five-time world champion’s darts that often gets the crowd off their feet.
The 55-year-old doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary when he makes his way to the oche.
But the Barney Army are often heard belting out Eye of the Tiger by Survivor.
Vincent van der Voort
Another Dutchman on the list, who might not have done anything of note on the board of late, but his walk-on song is one that often raises the roof at Alexandra Palace.
That’s because he comes out to Give It Up by K.C. & The Sunshine Band and fans show their support by changing the words to “Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na… Vincent van der Voort, Van der Voort”.
Steve Hine
The 53-year-old hasn’t played at the World Championships for more than 10 years, although even when he was a regular, he only managed to win ONE match.
But he will forever he remembered for walking on dressed as a baker.
Nicknamed The Muffin Man, Hine wore an apron and chef’s hat while holding a tray of muffins that he handed out as he made it way to the stage.
Wayne Mardle
Mardle was the nearly-man when it came to the worlds, reaching four semi-finals between 2004 and 2008.
Nevertheless, the Sky Sports commentator and pundit has one of the most iconic walk-ons in the sport’s history.
His tune was Hawaii Five-O by The Ventures and he would get the entire room off their feet when dancing while wearing a Hawaiian garland.
