wedding

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

PETER WRIGHT swapped world crowns for wedding gowns as the ‘Big Sid’ Championship trophy took centre stage on his daughter’s big day.

The showman Scot ushered in his latest oche reign in a kilt as father of blushing bride Naomi at Southwood Hall in Norwich last weekend. 

It was the second time in a month that confetti had showered Snakey after he won his second world title on the Ally Pally stage, beating Michael Smith 7-5.

The family then celebrated with the trophy, named after legendary commentator Sid Waddell, sitting proudly on the top table with Snakebite, bride and groom.

But Wright, 51, admits he was relieved after a Covid outbreak had meant the swanky do was delayed a week, revealing: “It was stressful to be honest. We got home from the Ally Pally and it was full-on getting ready for the wedding the next weekend. 

“But Naomi’s hubby-to-be Stuart got Covid on his stag do so it had to be put back a week. Then my wife Jo’s mum Chissy and sister Amanda also got it and her mum had to miss the wedding day. 

“So it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. We are just happy that everyone is safe and well now.”

It was a nice day for a Wright wedding and in typical wacky Snakebite style, the Star Wars Imperial March played as guests arrived, Naomi even also donned Doc Marten boots and mum Jo made the dresses including the bride and maid of honour, daughter Jessica.

But the World Champ resisted his usual outrageous stage style.

He added: “In the end it was an amazing day. ‘Big Sid’ sat in front of the top table as we said it would and both my wife Jo and I walked Naomi down the aisle as she wanted. 

“I didn’t have my hair done, there’s no way I’d want to upstage the bride. My dad dancing was also a little bit less over the top like I do on the stage!

“It was a huge celebration and very emotional. We are so proud of Naomi. She has shed a lot of tears over me at darts, it was my turn on her big day.”

Wright now returns to the top table of arrows this weekend for the Ladbrokes Masters in Milton Keynes, a title he won two years ago after being crowned World Champ the first time. 

He will play either Dirk Van Duijvenbode or Simon Whitlock on Saturday night but has mixed feelings about the event, adding: “Last time it was only a month before the pandemic lockdown. Life was normal then.

“I loved being announced as World Champion. But not long after that we had no fans at events and I hated it. It went a bit flat and I found it hard to get fired-up. Now the fans are back and it’s no surprise my best form has also returned.

“It will be good to hear John McDonald call me out as World Champ again. I can enjoy this year and get even better. That’s the plan.”

Images copyright of Mary Doggett. No other authorised use apart from Oche.