EVANS WILL STAY THE CLOWN DESPITE SISTER HEARTBREAK

RICKY EVANS will carry on being the oche clown despite the heartbreak of losing his “best friend’ sister earlier this year. 

The World No43 admits that losing Elisha, at just 31, made him cry for the first time in years just hours after going out of the UK Open in Minehead in March. 

But ‘Rapid’, known for being the fastest and daftest thrower in the west, has vowed to carry on his wacky behaviour, adding success while his sister looks down on him.

He revealed: “She was riddled with illness and we still don’t actually know why she died. She was a decent darts player in her own right – back in the day she was better than Fallon and she played for England. She wasn’t bang-average, she could hold her own.

“We used to go to tournaments together – I think she got into darts because of me – but in her late twenties she was struck down by one illness after another, whether it was her pancreas or diabetes, and there were endless hospital visits.

“I would go away to a tournament and when I got home, she wasn’t there because she was back in hospital.

“I remember the fateful weekend – she gave me a cuddle before I went to Minehead (for the UK Open), I beat Gabriel Clemens in the third round, lost to Chizzy (Dave Chisnall) in the fourth round in a good game and next morning my manager said, ‘Let’s get you home’ although I wanted to stay another couple of days.

“When I got home, my mum and dad broke the news and we were all over the place.

“We all sat in different rooms, trying to come to terms with it, and all I could hear was my mum crying downstairs.

“Elisha was my best friend, so if I did something daft she was the first to text me, ‘What a stupid dart that was’ or ‘What a stupid walk-on’ – and I gave her plenty of opportunities to do that.

“She’s still with me, and although I don’t normally go in for the hearts and flowers stuff, I want to do well for her and I want to do well for my mum and dad because I’m all they’ve got left now. I want to make them proud.

“The first time I cried properly was when I beat (Raymond) Van Barneveld on the Euro Tour in my first tournament afterwards – I felt so much love after that game, because of what had happened and it meant so much to win for her, and the whole euphoria was overwhelming. I was never going to win the next game, but it was such a release.”

But there won’t be any tears of the clown at the Ally Pally. Evans will carry on his crazy Christmas outfits and daft dances in Elisha’s memory – even though he HATES the festivities. 

He added: “Elisha would have wanted me to carry on playing the fool. I’ve had my Christmas outfit for Ally Pally ready for weeks already, and it will be the same Shakin’ Stevens song (Merry Christmas Everyone) for the walk-on, which is surprising for someone who hates Christmas.

“I’m not a fan of Christmas dinner – the gravy and vegetables – just give me a curry on Christmas Eve and that will do me.

“I don’t mind the party vibes and all that, but I don’t like receiving presents, watching the King’s Speech or the EastEnders specials. I’m a right Scrooge – I only like Christmas now if I’m still in the World Championship.

“My other half has little ‘uns, so maybe that will bring some of the magic back. But if you put a Christmas dinner in front of me, I’d probably take the Yorkshire puddings and pour some curry sauce over them. That’ll do.”

Evans admits that his new girlfriend Sharne has helped him over the loss of his best pal and sister. 

He added: “I’ve lost my sister, one of the best people you could ever meet, but I’ve gained another because since May I’ve had a new better half – my girlfriend, Sharne. She’s given my life a new dimension.

“I used to tell the world how I bored and single – now I can annoy everyone by telling them how happy I am, all lovey-dovey. It’s like people say: You often find love when you least expect it.

“The first time I took her out, we went to my local social club in Kettering – cheap and cheerful – and I could not have picked four or five worse people to be propping up the bar that day.

“There were a couple who always say how much they hate Liverpool fans, and my girlfriend’s from Liverpool, and the sexual banter from others wasn’t great.

“I said, ‘If you don’t ever want to talk to me again, I wouldn’t blame you’ – but fortunately she thought it was a bit of an ice-breaker and we’ve grown closer.”

Evans faces tricky opponent Hong Kong star Man Lok Leung in his opener on Friday night. He believes he will get it right on the big stage one day. 

He said: “One day, I’m going to win one – don’t know where, don’t know when. I don’t want to put others down, but there are worse players than me who have won a major. I can’t slate them because I’ve never done it.

“I have slowed down my throw just a tiny bit, but it’s not in my nature to slow it right down. You wouldn’t ask Lewis Hamilton to drive his Ferrari in second gear at a Grand Prix.

“But when I pick up the rhythm, I’m just plain old Ricky Evans again. Bang, bang, bang.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.