Jones reveals sleepless nights after ‘awful’ mistake as darts’ new voice

LEWIS JONES admits he suffered sleepless nights after making an “awful” mistake during his first year as darts’ new voice.

The Portsmouth born announcer was handed the huge task of replacing legendary MC John McDonald this season after he stepped away following the 2026 World Championship.

But the pressure of filling one of the most recognisable roles in the sport hit home quickly for Jones.

‘Lewdog’ came under fire online after an early blunder, calling the Bahrain Darts Masters the Bahrain World Series.

Another error made by Jones was introducing Gian van Veen as a World Championship semi-finalist instead of a finalist in the Middle East.

Jones says the slip-up left him questioning himself during the early stages of his new job.

He told the Daily Star: “It was just awful. I don't know why, just the name of the tournament got muddled up in my head and I started looking around the stage for it and I couldn't see it.

“It was just the most, honestly, I felt like the world would fall out my head, that was pretty tough.

“A couple of people said to me, ‘You're going to make mistakes and it's going to be tough, you're going to get criticised for it’.

“So I knew that, but you still don't want to make them.”

Jones initially joined the PDC to support McDonald and provide extra flexibility before the darts icon’s retirement came sooner than expected.

He added: “I don't think I would've been able to do it without the way John was, in terms of the speed which it happened.

“Originally I came in to start a backup role, it was to give John more flexibility, to look after John.

“Then John retired probably a lot quicker than I think maybe people were expecting, certainly quicker than what I was expecting.”

Jones admits the transition has been challenging, with doubts creeping in despite the support around him.

He continued: “It's been amazing. Of course, it's been tough at times.

“There have been days and nights where I've not been able to sleep and the self-doubt, a bit of imposter syndrome creeps in.

“But I've had a lot of support as well, particularly John. We still regularly talk about things, still gives me advice.

“The PDC have been amazing with me.”

Despite the early hurdles, Jones has already created special memories, including opening the Premier League in Newcastle, where his dad was born.

Jones also took charge of the World Matchplay this month and revealed he felt hugely honoured to be part of the iconic event.

He said: “Some of the best matches you've ever seen have been at the World Matchplay.

“There have been some incredible, unbelievable matches at the Matchplay and it's something about that, the Empress Ballroom, the noise in there.

“I don't know what it is, it is like the sound of everything in there just sounds better when people are cheering in there.

“It's an incredibly exciting time. So I'm very, very lucky to be involved at the time it's going on.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning