DOBEY TO DUMP RUMBLE?

By Phil Lanning

CHRIS DOBEY could dump Ant and Dec’s ‘Ready to Rumble’ to get more fans on side in the Premier League jungle. 

The Bedlington battler takes on stablemate Nathan Aspinall in Exeter tonight (Thursday) after two straight defeats. 

But ‘Hollywood’, 34, has asked his social media following for ideas on what new tunes to get the crowd pumped up for his clashes. 

He revealed: “There’s been so many ideas that have come in. Who knows I might keep it. 

“It’s whatever suits me and works for me. But until I get that walk-on test run, that might be at the UK Open in Minehead this weekend, it might not. 

“It’s for something new and more so for the crowd to enjoy it. You want the fans to enjoy themselves. 

“If they can get something from my walk-on it might push them to get on my side.”

But he will resist the urge to go for Geordie cult theme Blaydon Races, adding: “No. It’s too much for Newcastle. Obviously you won’t get fans from down south singing Blaydon Races that’s for sure!”

Dobey has started 2025 on fire with a run to the World Championship semi-final and winning a ProTour in the Netherlands a week ago. 

He also opened his Premier League by losing the final in Belfast but has since suffered two opening quarter-final defeats and slipped out of the top four. 

He added: “I haven’t done a lot wrong. Obviously I got off to a slow start last week against Michael (Van Gerwen). 

“But I’m trying to put that aside. I feel my game is there and it’s not too far away. Fingers crossed things can turn here.

“You need to create your own luck. I’m playing myself into some good form. It’s turning the floor form back onto the stage. 

“I will start winning more than I lose and I’ll start winning more TV titles as well.

“I’ve played in Exeter before as well and I played one of my better games down here a couple of years ago. I lost to Dimi with another high average. But I’m looking forward to it and, hopefully, I can perform in some way like I did the last time.

“I’ve made two finals already this year on the floor. I probably should have won the one against Gezzy as well. 

“Missed opportunities, but that’s what happens and I just put it right the next time.

“I bounced back straight away with winning the next Players’ Championship, so I don’t dwell on things nowadays. I’ve learned that from the past. You’ve just got to get on with it.

“It’s made me a better player when you can forget moments like I did, by losing that one against Gezzy and turning around and winning the next one. It’s a big difference.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.