World Darts Championship star makes awkward gaffe on way to stage on Ally Pally debut
WORLD Darts Championship debutant Rashad Sweeting made an awkward gaffe on his first trip to the Ally Pally stage.
Sweeting has won over the hearts of Alexandra Palace this year with his antics at the famed oche – which saw him mimic Cole Palmer’s celebration.
But the Barbadian almost didn’t make it onto the stage when he hilariously took a wrong turn during his walk-on.
Announcer John McDonald revealed Sweeting’s debut telly appearance against world No.81 Jeffrey de Graaf in the first-round.
The crowd cheered as the 34-year-old walked down to the tune of Nakhaz’s ‘I’m a Bahamian (That’s What I Like)’.
But after high-fiving fans, Sweeting turned left and headed towards the side stairs that players use to leave the stage.
Cameras captured a member of staff getting Sweeting’s attention before directing him onto the entrance steps.
The Candy Man swiftly recollected himself as he waved at the 180-hungry spectators, offering an applause before pointing to the sky.
De Graaf, the strong favourite, started slowly, missing seven darts in the opening sets as Sweeting teased an upset by taking it 3-1.
Sweeting – who works as an immigration officer – was leading 1-0 in and they were tied 2-2 in the second set.
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He needed 194 to take the second set and put himself on course for victory.
After hitting two double 20s, the crowd encouraged Sweeting to go for the 180 – and he obliged, despite it leaving him with a tricky double seven to pull off.
He could have hit a lower sum to leave himself with an easier checkout.
Sweeting then copied Palmer’s ‘cold’ celebration to send the crowd wild – although he didn’t land the subsequent double seven and eventually crashed out 3-1.
It later emerged that the brilliant moment was in response to a fan’s request earlier in the day to shiver like the England international if he hit a 180 during his match.
He sealed the 100th 180 of the 2024-25 PDC Darts Championship, adding another £1000 to The Bigger 180 Campaign pot.
As a reward for his showmanship, Paddy Power have pledged to pay for his plane ticket back to the Bahamas, where he is based.
It was a historic night as Sweeting became the first darts player from Barbados to play at Ally Pally.