DARTS PLAYERS WARNED TO SPEED UP WALK-ONS
10/11/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
DARTS stars have been told to speed up their walk-ons and stop signing so many fans’ autographs prior to their matches.
Player walk-ons are crucial part of every tournament but this campaign some competitors have taken too long to arrive on stage.
10-times major winner James Wade is one of the players often slowing things down as he stops for selfies and autographs while coming out to ‘I’m Still Standing’ by Elton John in the arena.
PDC officials and TV producers are said to get nervous when walk-ons drag, as live broadcasts run to tight timings.
A brief was issued to all players before the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.
Darts chiefs haven’t banned signing autographs but they have told players to speed things to prevent delaying the show.
At the very least, they want players ready when their name is called and looking straight down the TV camera.
A PDC spokesman said: “The walk-on is an important part of the show for all fans at the event as well as those watching on TV.
“And players have been reminded of the need to be ready to make their way to the stage once the MC announces them.
“Players have not been banned from signing autographs and we encourage players to interact with the crowd appropriately.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
