DARTS ACE BACKS LEWIS JONES AFTER EARLY MISTAKES

VINCENT VAN DER VOORT has urged patience with PDC announcer Lewis Jones following early mistakes on the big stage.

Former pro Van der Voort accepts Jones has made errors since replacing long-time Master of Ceremonies John McDonald after the World Championship.

Pundit Damian Vlottes highlighted some of the slips, including Jones referring to the Bahrain World Series rather than the Bahrain Darts Masters.

Gian van Veen was also introduced as a World Championship semi-finalist despite reaching the final, while his take on “Michael Mighty van Gerwen” raised eyebrows.

Despite that, Van der Voort believes Jones deserves time to settle into the role.

He said on the Darts Draait Door Podcast: “He’s made a few mistakes

“He’s a top bloke too, I really mean that. A bit hyper, but you can really have a laugh with him.

“Truly a great guy. Just give him a couple of months. If it doesn’t improve, you can always give him the boot.”

Vlottes admits replacing McDonald, the PDC’s lead MC for the past 19 years, is no easy task.

He replied: “Those are big shoes to fill, it’s insane. You also shouldn’t try to imitate him, you have to create your own style. That’s very difficult.”

On social media, Euro Tour regular Philip Brzezinski has been suggested as a possible alternative, though Van der Voort doubts the PDC will rush into any change.

He added: “It can’t be that they’re the only two who can do it.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.