GILDING DUMPS FAMOUS DOC MARTENS PLATFORMS!

ANDREW GILDING has revealed he has ditched his famous Doc Martens platforms because they were becoming a nightmare at airport security.

The former UK Open champion was still standing tall on stage despite the footwear switch as he booked his place in round three of the Austrian Darts Open with a hard fought 6-4 victory over Jermaine Wattimena. 

Goldfinger delivered one of the performances of the second round, averaging a superb 100.92 and punishing Wattimena on the outer ring by taking out six of his ten attempts at double. 

Gilding admitted fans had barely noticed the change after swapping his trademark towering boots for a shorter ankle length pair.

He told Oche180: “Nobody’s noticed that I am not wearing the platforms anymore. I’ve got these slightly shorter ones now. 

“I wanted something a little bit easier to take off and put on at airports, so I got some ankle length ones instead of the platforms.” 

The world No.28 revealed he planned to celebrate his triumph with a gaming session after picking up a new laptop. 

He added: “I just wish I was a bit more consistent. You never know what is going to happen. I felt so tired today. 

“Then I ended up doing that. I just got a new laptop so I am going to play a game or two. Diablo four at the minute.” 

Gilding has enjoyed a solid start to the season after reaching the final of Players Championship Six and the quarter-finals of the German Darts Grand Prix. 

The Norfolk thrower returns to action in Graz on Sunday afternoon, where he will face either Chris Dobey or Kim Huybrechts.